Renewed Airstrikes in Somali Hills: A Bold U.S. Action

WASHINGTON – In a rather surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump revealed that the United States had initiated a series of airstrikes targeting ISIS militants deeply entrenched in the rugged landscapes of Somalia’s Bari region. The operations honed in on eliminating a high-profile mastermind—a fugitive orchestrating activities from secluded mountain caves in Northeastern State.

Trump, keeping the identity shrouded in secrecy, mentioned that the strikes obliterated several hideouts, resulting in substantial militant casualties without inflicting harm on civilians, as he detailed in a straightforward early morning tweet. “This morning, I ordered precision military strikes on the senior ISIS attack planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia. These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies,” he asserted with an undertone of urgency and resolve.

Typically, such announcements emanate from the U.S. Africa Command, which maintains a strategic base in Djibouti and is actively involved in training the Somali National Army’s elite Danab Special Forces. Yet, Trump opted to spotlight the operation himself, suggesting a shift in communication or strategy, perhaps? He expressed disdain towards his predecessor, Joe Biden, accusing him of dragging his feet on matters concerning ISIS in Somalia. “Our military had been targeting this ISIS planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn’t act swiftly enough. I did! The message to ISIS and all others wishing harm upon Americans is clear: ‘WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU,'” was the unambiguous declaration he made.

Pete Hegseth, the current Secretary of Defense, noted that while initiated by the U.S. Africa Command under Trump’s directives, the Somali government oversaw coordination—a collaboration of effort that is perhaps more profound than it appears. The Pentagon’s assessment affirmed these results, underscoring significant losses within ISIS ranks while voicing relief that civilian areas remained unaffected.

Reports circulating from multiple sources, including confirmations to Axadle, indicated about six tactical airstrikes hit ISIS strongholds nestled in the Al-Miskaad mountains, covering locales such as Qurac, Buqo, Wangable, and Dhasaan. These air operations are part of sustained military endeavors aiming to dismantle ISIS infrastructure throughout Bari.

For over a month now, Northeastern State’s security forces, energized by local support, have scaled up their aggressive campaign against Islamic State elements. They describe these efforts as a full-on assault to dismantle ISIS establishments deep within forbidding terrains, heralding meaningful territorial advances, some officials insist. Not so long ago, even the U.S. State Department sounded alarms over the threat posed by these militants, labeling them as ‘dangerous’ and cautioning that a neglected ISIS frontline might sprout further territorial conundrums.

The specter of missed opportunities hung over this campaign, thanks in part to a past executive order in 2021 under Trump, pulling American forces back from global theaters, Somalia included. However, this was a decision Joe Biden promptly reversed, spurred by fresh intelligence hinting the re-emergence of Al-Shabaab in the country.

In an illuminating discussion with the Washington Post, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia implored Trump to extend unwavering support in their anti-terrorism crusade, affirming the nation’s reliance on external allies. “We need your support in this war as we endeavor to stabilize Somalia,” Mohamud conveyed, painting a picture of both despair and determination prevalent in his administration.

The recent airstrikes symbolize Trump’s pronounced commitment to aiding the Horn of Africa in combating threats from both Al-Shabaab and ISIS. With nearly 500 American soldiers stationed in Somalia, focusing primarily on training and equipping indigenous forces, the U.S. role remains pivotal.

The intricacies of these operations, coupled with their political ramifications, evoke the age-old question: at what point does foreign intervention tip the balance for better or worse? As military and political landscapes intertwine, the narrative in Somalia unfolds, dense with both hope and unresolved conflict.

Report By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring