WASHINGTON – In a move that has captured global attention, President Donald Trump unveiled a brief yet compelling video showcasing US military airstrikes against ISIS in the remote caves of northern Somalia. What does this reveal about U.S. military capabilities?
Without delving deep into specifics, Trump uploaded the 40-second footage to his X account (formerly known as Twitter) and described it as ‘unclassified’. Labelling the video ‘US airstrikes on ISIS targets in Somalia,’ this disclosure marks a rare and candid statement from the typically guarded world of military operations.
Diving into the details of the video, an astute observer would note the precision with which the US Africa Command executed the strikes, hitting the caves at least seven times. Each impact was followed by plumes of smoke, demonstrating the devastating power of these calculated assaults in the eastern Northeastern State region of Bari.
Announcing the strike on social media, President Trump painted a stark picture: “The mission was against a ‘Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led,’ who lurked within these caves.” Trump’s words carried weight: “These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies. Their caves were obliterated, and many terrorists were eliminated without harming civilians.”
General Adan Abdi Hashi, who leads the Northeastern State Devish Forces, confirmed that the airstrikes focused on at least ten ISIS strongholds in the Cal-Miskaad area of the Golis mountains. The strikes were executed by FA-18 Super Hornets launched from the USS Harry S Truman, strategically positioned in the Red Sea, a defense official noted. Not coincidentally, the US Africa Command maintains a robust presence in Djibouti, part of the Horn of Africa.
Details about the ISIS leader targeted remain scanty, yet numerous outlets, including Axadle, suggest the elusive Abdikadir Mumin was the main focus, accompanied by another aide, Abdirahman Fahiye. Did the strikes achieve their objectives? While at least 46 ISIS fighters, including foreigners, are reported as casualties, confirmation about Mumin or Fahiye remains elusive, with prior reports suggesting Mumin survived a prior May 2024 airstrike.
In recent weeks, the Northeastern State forces have mounted an aggressive campaign against militants in the Cal Miskaad mountains. Senior officials have heralded their efforts as successful, amplified by the United Arab Emirates’ support through aerial reconnaissance.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warmly acknowledged Saturday’s airstrikes, describing them as a “critical step in our shared fight against terrorism.” It was his personal appeal to Trump that highlighted the urgency of collaboration in counter-terrorism efforts.
Intriguingly, this series of events coincided with the surrender of a notorious ISIS commander, Abdirahman Shirwa Aw Siciid, also known as Lahoor, to Northeastern State security forces in the Cal Miskaad mountains near Qandala town. In an exclusive video, Lahoor is visibly escorted by Northeastern State forces, confirming his surrender. This development followed extensive airstrikes on key ISIS sites and coincides with the broader effort by Northeastern State forces to reclaim control.
While the US Africa Command continues to support the Danab Special Forces of the Somali National Army, the dynamic between Northeastern State and the Somali capital has been fraught with tension. Consequently, direct collaboration in the fight against ISIS and Al-Shabaab has been limited, posing intriguing questions about the future of regional security partnerships.
Report By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring
