The United States has launched an airstrike in Somalia, targeting ISIS, the same terrorist group the U.S launched an offensive on in Nigeria.
- The United States, under President Donald Trump, has conducted airstrikes targeting ISIS militants in Nigeria and Somalia.
- On Christmas Day, a targeted attack occurred in northwest Nigeria aimed at Islamic State members involved in violence against Christians.
- AFRICOM coordinated airstrikes on ISIS-related targets in Somalia, emphasizing the operation’s confidentiality and cooperation with Somali authorities.
- The U.S. administration is enhancing its counterterrorism efforts in Africa, allocating substantial resources for regional security measures.
On Christmas Day, the United States conducted airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria, stating that the strikes targeted extremist fighters accused of killing “primarily, innocent Christians.”
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At the time, Trump shared the announcement on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling the operation “powerful and deadly” and saying it was ordered “at my direction as Commander in Chief.”
He described the militants as “ISIS terrorist scum” and claimed they had been attacking Christians “at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.”
Shortly after, Donald Trump indicated that Washington might conduct further military operations in Nigeria should the killing of Christians persist.
The remarks were published on Thursday, January 8, in an interview with the New York Times, in which Trump was asked about a US military strike conducted on Christmas Day in northwestern Nigeria.
Nigeria described the operation as a joint effort against terrorists, much like what is being described in Somalia currently.
United States airstrike on ISIS in Somalia
As issued by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in a press release, the group, in coordination with the Somali government, conducted airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia Jan. 23-24, 2026.
Per the press release, the airstrikes took place about 40 kilometers southeast of Bossaso, close to the Golis Mountains.
AFRICOM noted that more information on units and assets will not be disclosed in order to maintain the confidentiality of operations.
This implies that AFRICOM will maintain operations in the region, similar to the continued presence of the United States in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s continued military cooperation with the United States
Following the airstrikes targeting the ISIS group in Nigeria, the United States and the West African nation have consistently sought to reinforce their military collaboration.
This month alone, Nigeria received an entirely new shipment of military supplies from the US.
The United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, verified the delivery in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, January 13.
The military claims that US personnel delivered the supplies to Nigerian partners in Abuja, characterizing the action as a symbol of a shared commitment to regional peace and support for ongoing security operations.
Additionally, the United States authorized $413 million in funding for counterinsurgency and security activities in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa in the fiscal year 2026.
More recently, the United States revealed that it is going to take a more aggressive stance against terrorism in Nigeria under the Trump administration and renew its focus on intelligence-led operations.
“From Somalia to Nigeria, the problem set is connected. So we’re trying to take it apart and then provide partners with the information they need,” Lieutenant General John Brennan, a senior Pentagon official, stated.
