BOSASO (KAAB TV) – In a strategic move to combat the growing threat of ISIS in Somalia, the U.S. Africa Command (Africom) says they executed an airstrike on Friday, May 31, 2024.
The operation, aimed at ISIS militants, took place in a remote area near Dhaardaar, approximately 81 kilometers southeast of Bosaso, situated in the Puntland State of Somalia.
“An initial assessment of the strike is that three ISIS militants were killed, with no civilian casualties,” Africom stated in a statement posted online.
The airstrike comes amidst heightened concerns over the insurgency crisis gripping the Horn of Africa nation and the looming threat of terrorist takeover.
ISIS, notorious for its global terrorist activities, has been a significant menace across continents, including Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The group’s relentless pursuit of violence poses a direct threat not only to regional stability but also to the safety of U.S. interests and personnel worldwide.
Somalia, grappling with the challenges of state failure and endemic violence, relies heavily on the support of African Union (AU) forces to counter terrorist elements within its borders. However, the imminent departure of AU forces by the end of December 2024 has raised alarms over the vulnerability of Somalia to extremist groups.
Just last week, Kenyan President William Ruto voiced concerns over the potential resurgence of al-Shabaab, warning of the dire consequences if adequate measures are not taken to address the security vacuum left by the AU withdrawal.
During his visit to Washington, President Ruto appealed to the Biden administration to intervene and mitigate the escalating security crisis in Somalia.
“Our position is that the United States should step in and change the trajectory. Otherwise, we will exit ATMIS troops and the terrorists will take over Somalia. I don’t think it is in anybody’s interest for that to happen,” Ruto emphasized.