US military goes hard on ISIS in Somalia

BOSOSO, Somalia - For the umpteenth time this year, the US Africa Command has confirmed yet another airstrike in northern Somalia, significantly boosting the ongoing war against ISIS militants, whose influence had started expanding into urban areas in Puntland.

The Puntland forces have been on overdrive in the fight against ISIS militants, with significant support from the United Arab Emirates and the US Africa Command, leading to massive gains within a short period.

In a statement, on Monday, the US Africa Command confirmed an airstrike in Bosaso carried out on Friday, leading to the death of one Al-Shabaab operative. No civilian was harmed during the operation, officials said.

"ISIS-Somalia has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces," the U.S. Army said while insisting on future operations in support of the Somali National Army and regional forces actively involved in the war.

"AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our civilians abroad," the Command started.

Over the weekend, the Puntland forces cautioned civilians against movements within active operation areas, noting that it was in the final preparations of the third phase of the offensives against the IS-Somalia militants within Cal-Miskaad mountains.

Further, US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to the Houthis by saying it was time for them to hide now that he has removed "dangerous red tape" from the Biden administration, allowing U.S. troops to protect Somalia against terrorists.

"Time for the terrorists to hide, but it won’t do them any good. Our Warfighters, the Greatest the World has ever seen, will find them, and bring them to a swift Justice," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

"I just got rid of Joe Biden’s dangerous red tape, and empowered our Warfighters, once again, just like I did against our fight with ISIS, who were completely obliterated in three weeks under General Daniel Caine, our new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"We will support the Somali People, who should not allow the Houthis to embed (which they are trying to do!), to end terrorism, and bring prosperity to their Country," the president added.

The US military has been assisting Somalia to fight both the ISIS militants and the al-Shabaab group. In Southern regions, active operations against the Al-Shabaab are going on with the federal government pledging to exterminate the group from the country.

GAROWE ONLINE