Wednesday, February 12, 2025
U.S. military airstrike kills three ISIS members in Somalia, AFRICOM reports.
The fight against ISIS by the U.S. military extends beyond the Middle East, as evidenced by a recent airstrike in inland Somalia, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
On Friday, May 31, American forces conducted an operation resulting in the death of three ISIS members near the town of Dhaardaar. AFRICOM announced the strike on Saturday, June 1, noting that no civilians were harmed in the operation.
Details regarding the airstrike remain limited, with AFRICOM refraining from disclosing additional information such as whether the three militants were the sole targets or part of a larger group.
Dhaardaar, situated approximately 81 kilometers southeast of the coastal city of Bosaso, represents a remote and desert area in Somalia.
Despite ISIS losing its strongholds in Iraq and Syria years ago, the group continues to operate globally, with affiliates spanning regions including Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
AFRICOM emphasized the ongoing threat posed by ISIS to U.S. interests and personnel worldwide, underscoring the necessity of proactive measures to prevent terrorist attacks, which often result in civilian casualties.
While U.S. military operations in Somalia primarily focus on combating al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group, ISIS has maintained a presence in the country. Last year, American forces conducted a special operations mission targeting Bilal al-Sudani, a prominent ISIS leader in the Horn of Africa, indicative of ongoing efforts to counter the group's activities in the region.
Conversation