US confirms 2 ISIS terrorists killed in Somalia airstrike
US forces have continued with their push to eliminate extremist groups operating in the vast Somalia.
In the latest operation, the US forces conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia in the northeast part of the country. According to a statement released by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Monday, February 17, 2025, the strike killed two ISIS terrorists.
“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia in Northeast Somalia on February 16, 2025.
“The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed two ISIS terrorists and no civilians were harmed,” AFRICOM stated.
While vowing to degrade ISIS and other terrorist organisations, U.S. Africa Command vowed to give a detailed analysis of the operation which was jointly carried out by the Federal Government of Somalia.
However, AFRICOM insisted that it would not release information about the units involved in the operations and assets since the mission was still ongoing.
“U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.
“Degrading ISIS and other terrorist organizations’ ability to plot and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our partners, and civilians remains central to U.S. Africa Command’s mission,” AFRICOM added.
Second strike in February
This is the second airstrike conducted in February 2025. Early, a similar strike was launched in Somalia which downed several terrorists.
According to the operation report, no civilian was harmed following the strike.
“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia on February 1, 2025.
“The command’s initial assessment is that multiple ISIS-Somalia operatives were killed in the airstrikes and no civilians were harmed. U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian harm. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa,” AFRICOM’s report read in part.
Kenya withdrawing forces
The latest series of airstrikes comes months after Kenya announced plans to withdraw its forces from Somalia. The then Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that Kenya would completely withdraw the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) from Somalia by December 31, 2024.
Duale noted that the move was informed by the Africa Union and United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution.
“The last troops are expected to leave Somalia on 31 December 2024 as per the Africa Union and UN Security Council resolution and plan,” Duale said in October 2023.
KDF went to Somalia in 2011 under Operation Linda Nchi. In 2012 the military joined the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). Their presence in the neighbouring country helped reduce the risk of Kenya facing attacks and also pushed back some of the Al-Shabaab groups which had invaded Boni Forest.
