Former President Donald Trump, via his Truth Social platform, released unclassified footage of US airstrikes targeting ISIS terrorists in Somalia. The video, reportedly depicting an attack executed on February 1st, 2024, showcases a series of explosions engulfing what are described as terror caves in the Golis mountains. The footage, widely circulated on social media, opens with a green screen displaying the word “UNCLASSIFIED” alongside the date of the operation. The video then transitions to aerial shots revealing a fiery explosion followed by a plume of black smoke billowing upwards. Subsequent frames capture multiple smaller detonations in the surrounding area, with flashes resembling lightning bolts visible through the ascending smoke.
Trump, in his Truth Social post, declared that “many” ISIS terrorists were eliminated in the airstrikes, specifically targeting a senior attack planner. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed his involvement in coordinating the operation with Trump and the Federal Government of Somalia. US Africa Command carried out the attack. The released video aligns with statements made by Trump and Hegseth regarding the airstrikes’ objective: disrupting ISIS’s capacity to plan and execute terrorist attacks that pose a threat to US citizens, partners, and civilians.
While the exact number of casualties remains undisclosed by either Trump or the Department of Defense, the footage offers a visual account of the operation’s intensity. The video, shared across Trump’s social media accounts, rapidly amassed millions of views, reigniting discussions about US counterterrorism efforts in Africa and the former president’s communication style. The decision to release unclassified footage of the airstrikes through social media, a practice less common under previous administrations, underscores Trump’s distinctive approach to disseminating information and engaging with the public.
The Golis Mountains, the location of the airstrikes, have become a known hideout for terrorist groups in Somalia. This mountainous region’s challenging terrain provides cover and logistical advantages for these organizations, making counterterrorism operations complex. The US military, in collaboration with Somali authorities, has been actively working to combat terrorist presence in these areas, employing various strategies, including targeted airstrikes and ground operations. The airstrikes publicized by Trump constitute one component of this ongoing counterterrorism endeavor.
The broader context of the airstrikes centers around the persistent threat posed by ISIS and its affiliates in various regions of Africa. While ISIS’s influence has waned in some parts of the world, the group maintains a presence in Somalia and other African countries, carrying out attacks and seeking to expand its reach. Somalia, in particular, faces a complex security landscape, grappling with not only ISIS but also other extremist groups like Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda. The International Crisis Group estimates hundreds of ISIS fighters operate in Somalia, primarily concentrated in the Cal Miskaat mountains in Puntland’s Bari region.
The United States has consistently engaged in counterterrorism efforts in Somalia, targeting ISIS leaders and disrupting their operations. In 2023, a US special forces operation in northern Somalia resulted in the elimination of a senior ISIS commander and ten other militants. This operation, focusing on a mountain cave complex, exemplifies the targeted approach employed by US forces. Another airstrike in May 2023 neutralized three more ISIS operatives in a remote area near Dhaardaar. These sustained efforts demonstrate the ongoing US commitment to combating ISIS and other terrorist groups in Somalia and the broader African continent.
