US-Led Airstrikes Kill Key ISIS Figures in Puntland, Somalia

On February 1, 2025, the U.S. military conducted coordinated airstrikes in northern Somalia's Golis Mountains, targeting key figures of the Islamic State (IS) group, following authorization from President Donald Trump. The Puntland regional government confirmed that the strikes resulted in the deaths of several IS operatives, including a senior attack planner, and praised U.S. involvement as a critical component of their counterterrorism efforts. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the operation aimed to degrade IS's capacity to conduct attacks, sending a strong message of U.S. resolve against terrorism. Despite IS's smaller presence compared to the dominant al-Shabaab in Somalia, its activities have been increasing, prompting the need for such military actions. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed gratitude for the U.S. support in the fight against terrorism, highlighting the significance of this operation in their ongoing campaign. Trump emphasized the success of the strikes on social media, criticizing the previous administration for not acting decisively against IS operatives sooner.