US kills 3 ISIS militants in Somalia airstrike

U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, the Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, said the latest action signifies the critical role that America is playing in supporting Somali forces in their fight against terrorism.

"We are providing training, logistical support, medical evacuation, and intelligence to vetted units in the Somali National Army (SNA) — the 6 Danab commandos — and collaborating with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS)," Gen Langley told the US Congress earlier this year.

He also highlighted the success of previous operations, noting that last year, “AFRICOM conducted 18 airstrikes and eliminated Bilal al-Sudani, a key ISIS leader in Somalia, with no civilian casualties."

The importance of this recent operation was further underscored by a conversation between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on June 1, a day after the airstrike. The two leaders discussed shared security interests and the need to reduce regional tensions, and focus on counterterrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa.

AFRICOM said "protecting innocent civilians remains a vital part of the command's operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa." This sentiment echoes the broader U.S. strategy in the region, which aims to disrupt terrorist networks while minimizing the impact on local populations.

In February 2024, U.S Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III met Kenyan Defense Minister Aden Bare Duale, and affirmed the U.S.-Kenya partnership on Somalia and related security issues.

“Kenya is a key strategic partner in tackling a range of shared threats and advancing security in East Africa and beyond," Austin said. Kenya's support and partnership in the African Union transition mission in Somalia is critical to stability in the region.”