US Secretary of Defence Pete Hagel. Photo: Reuters
US President Donald Trump has ordered airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Somalia, saying that these actions will help protect the US and its allies. These are the first attacks by the US military in the country since Trump returned to the White House, Politico reports.
According to the president, the operation killed a large number of terrorists and destroyed the caves in which they were hiding. Trump stressed that the airstrikes did not harm civilians.
“These murderers we found hiding in caves threatened the United States and our allies,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
What is known about air strikes?
According to The Guardian, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hagel said that the strikes were carried out in the mountainous region of Gholis, which has long been used by ISIS militants as a base for planning attacks.
“These strikes are reducing ISIS’ ability to plan and execute terrorist attacks that threaten the United States, our partners and civilians,” Hagseth said.
He also added that this is a clear message to terrorists around the world:
“The United States is always ready to find and destroy terrorists who threaten us and our allies.”
The Pentagon has not yet disclosed the details of the operation, but notes that US intelligence agencies have been tracking one of the key planners of ISIS attacks for years, who, according to the Washington Post, could be among the eliminated militants.
US steps up fight against terrorists
This attack was another step in strengthening Trump’s policy of fighting international terrorism. Along with strikes against ISIS in Somalia, the United States continues operations against militants in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The White House is expected to announce a new strategy to combat terrorist groups in Africa in the near future.
