Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a statement regarding recent U.S. Africa Command airstrikes in Somalia. The strikes were carried out under the direction of President Trump and in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.
Hegseth confirmed that the airstrikes targeted ISIS-Somalia operatives located in the Golis mountains. "Our initial assessment is that multiple operatives were killed in the airstrikes and no civilians were harmed," he stated.
The Secretary emphasized that this action aims to weaken ISIS's capacity to plan and execute terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens, partners, and innocent civilians. He added, "This action further degrades ISIS's ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians."
Hegseth concluded by reaffirming the United States' commitment to counterterrorism efforts: "This 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."
