Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

US airstrike on IS in Somalia kills operatives

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 30 Mar 2025 09:34
3 Min Read

The strike, coordinated with the Somali government, resulted in the deaths of several IS members, according to Africa Command (AFRICOM).

Listen
  • x
  • A woman walks on the beach as black smoke is seen rising in the background following an attack in Mogadishu, Somalia, Saturday Aug. 3, 2024. (AP)
    A woman walks on the beach as black smoke is seen rising in the background following an attack in Mogadishu, Somalia, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (AP)

The US military launched an airstrike on Saturday targeting Islamic State (IS) operatives in Somalia's Puntland region, killing several members of the group, according to Africa Command (AFRICOM).

In a statement, the US military's European-based command confirmed that the strike, carried out in coordination with the Somali government, struck "multiple ISIS-Somalia targets."

While IS has a smaller presence in Somalia compared to the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab, the group has been expanding its influence in the semi-autonomous Puntland region.

"The airstrike occurred southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia," AFRICOM stated, adding, "AFRICOM's initial assessment is that multiple ISIS-Somalia operatives were killed and no civilians were harmed."

This operation follows a similar strike two days earlier, which AFRICOM described as part of "a larger counter-terrorism initiative" in Somalia.

In February, US airstrikes targeted IS in Puntland, with local authorities reporting that "key figures" were killed, though they did not provide further details.

Somalia offers US control over ports to block Somaliland recognition

In a move to defend its territorial integrity and push back against foreign-engineered fragmentation, Somalia has reportedly offered the US exclusive control over key ports and airbases located in Somaliland and Puntland.

Related News

Seoul presses Washington after Georgia raid on South Korean workers

Maduro warns of threats, urges 'battle for truth' to defend Venezuela

According to Semafor, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sent a letter to US President Donald Trump on March 16, offering Washington "exclusive operational control" over the Berbera port and airbase in Somaliland and the Bosaso port and airbase in Puntland.

Both facilities are strategically located along the Gulf of Aden, a maritime corridor of immense geopolitical value. Notably, the Somali federal government currently lacks de facto control over these sites.

Recognition bargain

The Somali government's offer appears to be a strategic response to growing signs that the United States may move toward recognizing Somaliland.

Media reports in March indicated that Washington has been in talks with Somaliland leadership, exploring what could be exchanged for such recognition—including the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has previously declared that Somalia would categorically reject "any proposal or initiative, from any party, that would undermine the Palestinian people's right to live peacefully on their ancestral land."

Somaliland also denied being involved in such discussions. Its Foreign Minister, Abdirahman Dahir Adan, noted that the region's pursuit of recognition was grounded in its political history and self-governance—not in any quid pro quo involving the displacement of Palestinians.

Since the collapse of Siad Barre's government in 1991, Somalia has operated under a fractured political system.

While the internationally recognized federal government is based in Mogadishu, large parts of the country are controlled by autonomous regional authorities or armed factions.

Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991, has maintained its own government and military, though no country has recognized it as a sovereign state. 

Read more: US, 'Israel' considering Syria, Somalia, Sudan for Gaza resettlement

  • United States
  • AFRICOM
  • Is
  • Somalia

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during the inauguration of a monument in China's honor on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Maduro warns of threats, urges 'battle for truth' to defend Venezuela

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Politics

Netanyahu informed Trump before deadly attack in Doha: Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Monday, September 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu warns of Israeli isolation, calls to boost self-reliance

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS