Donald Trump announced military airstrikes targeting a senior Islamic State (IS) attack planner and other operatives in Somalia.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that initial assessments indicated multiple operatives were killed with no civilian casualties.

These airstrikes are part of a broader strategy to combat ISIS and its affiliates in East Africa.

In January 2025, Somali security forces launched an offensive against IS positions, coinciding with reports of fighters from Iraq and Syria joining the group.

Somalia has been battling Islamist groups for years, with both IS and Al Shabaab conducting terrorist attacks within Somalia and across neighboring countries.

Experts have identified Abdul Qadir Mumin as the leader of ISIS in Somalia, asserting his significant influence within the global Islamic State network.

U.S. military officials noted that Islamic State cells in Somalia have been increasingly directed by leadership based in northern Somalia, enhancing their operational capabilities.

Al-Shabab, a terrorist group linked to al-Qaida, is more prevalent in Somalia than the Islamic State, with estimates of its membership ranging from 7,000 to 12,000.

Puntland, a region in northeastern Somalia, has been conducting 'Operation Blitz' since 2023, which has led to the arrest of several hundred fighters.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised the operation as a reinforcement of the security partnership between the U.S. and Somalia in fighting extremism.

These actions were described as more symbolic than substantive, aimed at enhancing Trump's image as a strong leader against terrorism.

The strikes were prompted by a recent attack inspired by the Islamic State in New Orleans and concerns about the group's resurgence in Syria.