The strikes were carried out in northern Somalia, where Puntlandia security forces are carrying out operations against ISIL since December.
The government of the semi -autonomous region of Puntlandia of Somalia says that military attacks by the United States in the Golis mountains killed “key figures” of the Isil group (ISIS).
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, on Saturday night, said he ordered “precision military air attacks on an Isil attack planner and other terrorists” in Somalia.
Isil has a relatively small presence in Somalia compared to Al-Shabab linked to Al-Qaeda, but experts have warned about the growing activity.
The strikes were carried out in a northern region of Somalia, where Puntlandia Security Forces (PSF) have carried out operations against ISIL since December. It is said that the armed group established a presence in the Golis mountains.
“Recent air attacks have led to the neutralization of key figures within ISIS, marking significant advance as we move towards the second phase of our operation,” the regional government said on Sunday.
Trump posted on the social platform of the truth that the United States “destroyed the caves in which they live and killed many terrorists without, in any way, to harm civilians.”
“Our army has attacked this ISIS attack planner for years, but Biden and his cronies would not act quickly enough to do the job. I did it, “Trump published, attacking his predecessor, Joe Biden.
The Secretary of Defense of the United States, Pete Hegseth, said in a statement that the action “further degrades Isis to draw and carry out terrorist attacks that threaten US citizens, our partners and innocent civilians.”
In a publication about X, President Somalí Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed his gratitude for “unwavering support from the United States in our shared struggle against terrorism.”
“His bold and decisive leadership, Mr. President, in anti -terrorism efforts is highly valued and welcome in Somalia,” Mohamud published.
– Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (@hassmohad) February 1, 2025
The Minister of Information for the State of Puntlandia in northern Somalia also confirmed the attack, saying that he hit Isil’s bases in the Cal Missaad mountains, part of the Golis mountain range.
“The number of victims is still unknown since it was dark. But our forces in the front line could listen to the sound of explosions, ”said Mohamud Aidid to tell the Reuters news agency.
While its influence is relatively limited compared to Al-Shabab, Isil has been involved in attacks in Southern and Central Somalia. The group finances its activities through extortion, smuggling and illicit taxes, particularly in some coastal areas where you have tried to control local businesses.
Despite facing the anti-terrorist pressure of the Somali security forces, the US aerial raids and the rivalries of Al-Shabab, Isil in Somalia continues to operate in remote and urban areas, seeking to expand its influence through recruitment and propaganda.
It is estimated that the number of ISIL fighters in the country is in hundreds, mostly scattered in the Cal Misskaad mountains, according to the international crisis group.
