ISIS is back on America's radar. For the national security pundits waiting for President Trump to send a message about global terrorism, the wait was short. Somalia had become a haven for ISIS terrorists during the Biden administration. However, it took just ten days in office for Trump's national security team to identify a growing terrorist threat and eliminate it. The returned resident to the White House has a much different approach to terrorist groups. He wants them gone.
Trump Orders Airstrike in Somalia
Among the first operations of the previous administration was to reintroduce American troops back into Somalia in 2022, putting soldiers at risk without a clear mission. This contrasted with the current administration's approach to send an airstrike and kill the terrorists. US Africa Command, the regional warfighting command, announced, "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, US Africa Command conducted airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia on Feb. 1, 2025. The command's initial assessment is that multiple operatives were killed in the airstrikes, and no civilians were harmed."
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the airstrike in a press statement declaring, "…The United States always stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies…" As is President Trump's custom, he was refreshingly more direct and less politic in explaining his decision to send an airstrike to destroy ISIS leadership and foot soldiers. He said in a Truth Social posting:
"These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies. The strikes destroyed the caves they live in and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians. Our Military has targeted this ISIS Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn't act quickly enough to get the job done. I did! The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that 'WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!'"
Accompanying his statement, Trump released a video of the attack against the ISIS terrorists hiding deep inside caves in the Puntland state of Somalia. The precision-guided weapons reported to have been dropped by US aircraft carrier-based F/A-18 fighter jets made short work of the caves. If any survived, and that is doubtful, they now understand that Donald Trump does not make idle threats.
It's important to note that President Trump ordered the airstrikes on ISIS terrorists in Somalia in coordination with the Somali government. In the words of Somalia's leader, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, "The Federal Government of Somalia expresses its deep appreciation for the unwavering counterterrorism partnership of the United States in eliminating threats that seek to destabilize our nation and region." Mohamud went on to explain in the same press release posted on X, "The operation represents a critical step in our shared fight against terrorism, directly degrading ISIS's leadership and operational capacity."
As many Americans remember, the US has a long and rocky history in its relationship with Somalia. The Daily Caller explained, "The US military's historic involvement in Somalia includes the costly 1993 Battle of Mogadishu of 'Black Hawk Down' infamy. US forces withdrew following the failed operation, contributing to additional instability in Somalia and giving space for extremist groups to gain power." President Trump is taking much more direct and aggressive action against America's state and non-state enemies. On day three of his administration, President Trump reversed the Biden administration's feckless removal of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels from the Foreign Terrorist Organization List. The president's Executive Order (EO) re-designates the Houthis as a terrorist organization as it is and as it has always been.
Trump Executive Orders Put All Terrorists on Notice
The EO makes unequivocal where the Trump administration stands on the Iranian-sponsored Houthis, as well as other terrorist organizations. "Under President Trump, it is now the policy of the United States to cooperate with its regional partners to eliminate the Houthis' capabilities and operations, deprive them of resources, and thereby end their attacks on U.S. personnel and civilians, US partners, and maritime shipping in the Red Sea." Additionally, with the terrorist organization designation, following a review the US Agency for International Development will end its relationship with organizations, "which have opposed international efforts to counter the Houthis while turning a blind eye towards the Houthis' terrorism and abuses," the EO reads.
In recent statements, the new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has made unquestionably clear that the United States' foreign and national security policy is going to protect the interests of the United States first and foremost. With the airstrike on the ISIS enclave in Somalia, there should be no doubt that Houthis, ISIS, al Qaeda, and all terrorist organizations and Iran proxies are on notice.
The views expressed are those of the author and not of any other affiliate.
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