The U.S. has begun its first airstrikes against the Islamic State in Somalia, expanding the number of countries where it’s hitting the terror group.
The U.S. launched two airstrikes Friday in Somalia, killing numerous terrorists, which comes a day after President Donald Trump said he would increase airstrikes and other operations against ISIS, following the terrorist attack in New York City perpetrated by Sayfullo Saipov that claimed eight lives.
“They claimed him as a soldier, good luck,” Trump said Friday in response to reports that ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. “Every time they hit us, we know it’s ISIS, we hit them like you folks won’t believe.”
Currently, the pro-ISIS affiliate operating in northeastern Somalia is run by Sheikh Abdulkadir Mumin, who pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2015.
“U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect Americans and to disable terrorist threats,” U.S. Africa Command said in a statement. “This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF); targeting terrorists, their training camps and safe havens throughout Somalia, the region and around the world.”
The strike also comes after the attack launched by an ISIS affiliate in Niger. Militants ambushed Green Berets on Oct. 4 and killed four soldiers using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
Africa Command is still assessing the results of the strike.
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