JOHANNESBURG: The Trump administration has significantly ramped up U.S. airstrikes targeting jihadi militants in Somalia, marking a more than tenfold increase this year compared to the operations executed under President Biden in 2024.

According to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), as relayed to Fox News Digital, there have been over 100 airstrikes in Somalia this year, a sharp rise from the 10 airstrikes reported in 2024.

During a recent military engagement on Tuesday, AFRICOM forces participated in an airstrike and an extended gunfight with ISIS-Somalia militants in Puntland, situated in northern Somalia. The mission was executed, AFRICOM noted in a press release, “in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia.”

The operation, which concluded in August 2025, reportedly targeted significant ISIS figures. Local reports suggest a top terror leader was either killed or captured, with up to 10 militants neutralized. There have been no reports of any U.S. personnel sustaining injuries.

Multiple local sources reported high-value ISIS targets were hit, with reports that a high-level terror leader was either killed or captured, and up to 10 terrorists killed. There are no reports of U.S. casualties.

This attack is the latest in a series of missions over Somalia against various jihadi groups, primarily ISIS, ISIS-Somalia and the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab.

An AFRICOM spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Thursday the U.S. “conducted an airstrike approximately 66 km southeast of Bossaso. To date, we’ve completed 101 airstrikes in Somalia — 59 of which have specifically targeted ISIS-Somalia. In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, we continue to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabab’s ability to threaten the U.S. Homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.”

A file photo showing al-Shabab terrorists conduct military exercise in northern Mogadishu’s Suqaholaha neighborhood, Somalia, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010.  (Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP Photo)

Local sources report that in this latest attack, U.S. MQ9 Reaper drones first dropped missiles on the terrorists, who were said to be in and around a large cave. This was reportedly followed by an attack using 10 helicopters. During the battle, several sources claim U.S. troops disembarked from the helicopters.

But U.S. military officials dismissed the fact that American forces stepped onto Somali soil, stressing there was no ground operation by American troops, stating twice that such reports are inaccurate. In a public statement, AFRICOM said “specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security”.

U.S. forces conclude operation targeting ISIS in Somalia. Aug, 2025. (Hannah Kantner/AFRICOM)

In August, AFRICOM stated that they carried out multiple airstrikes against ISIS fighters, with AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson saying, “these lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to ensuring Americans and our partners remain safe from the threat of global terrorism.” The general continued that the strikes were aimed “against an organization that wishes to export their terror to the U.S. and our allies.”

U.S. aircraft launching from an aircraft carrier were shown in official photographs accompanying the media statement about the attacks.

Ahmed Soliman, senior research fellow, Africa Program, Chatham House, told Fox News Digital, “The U.S. focus on [ISIS] in Puntland is partially driven by the goal of preventing another international [ISIS] “safe haven” from emerging, as well as the potential threat from ISIS-Somalia’s recruitment of foreign fighters.”

He continued, “However, the imbalance has led to growing concerns that the international response may be lagging behind the pace of al-Shabab’s resurgence in central and southern Somalia. Al-Shabab has leveraged this shifting international focus to reconsolidate its areas of operations. The group’s advances have taken place against a backdrop of Somalia’s increasingly fragmented domestic political landscape. Ongoing power struggles between the FGS (Federal Government of Somalia) and member states like Puntland and Jubaland have undermined coordination and counterterrorism efforts.”

In May, AFRICOM’s then Commander, Gen. Michael E. Langley, referring to strikes in Somalia, told Air & Space Forces Magazine, “the U.S. is actively pursuing and eliminating jihadists.”