"These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
"The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians."
U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia— U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia on Feb. 1, 2025.https://t.co/4zg8XnMIw9 pic.twitter.com/ntgiwiHR50February 1, 2025
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the strikes by US Africa Command were carried out in the Golis Mountains.
An initial assessment by the Pentagon indicated that "multiple" operatives were killed.
The Pentagon said it assesses no civilians were harmed in the strikes.
An official in the Somali president's office, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the strikes and said Somalia's government welcomed the move.
"Somalia cannot be a safe haven for terrorists," said the official, adding that the effect of the strikes was still being assessed.
Hegseth said the strikes degrade the ability of IS "to plot and conduct terrorist attacks" threatening the US, its partners and innocent civilians.
"(It) sends a clear signal that the United States always stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies, even as we conduct robust border-protection and many other operations under President Trump's leadership," he said.
The United States has periodically carried out air strikes in Somalia for years, under Republican and Democratic administrations.
A strike, which also targeted IS militants, was carried out by the US in co-ordination with Somalia last year.
It killed three members of the group, the US military said.
with AP
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