U.S. forces, working in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia on May 4, 2025, in the Golis Mountains of northeastern Somalia, according to U.S. Africa Command.
The strike was conducted by U.S. Africa Command, formally known as United States Africa Command, as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in support of Somali security forces. The operation took place in a remote mountainous region that has long been used by militant groups operating in the area.
Officials said the strike specifically targeted ISIS-Somalia, a regional affiliate of the Islamic State network that has maintained a presence in parts of northern Somalia. The Golis Mountains area has been identified in previous assessments as a location where the group has attempted to establish operational footholds.
According to AFRICOM, the strike was carried out in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, reflecting continued joint operations between U.S. forces and Somali authorities. The mission was described as part of broader efforts to reduce the group’s ability to organize and conduct attacks.
U.S. Africa Command stated that ISIS-Somalia has demonstrated both intent and capability to threaten U.S. forces, and that the operation was intended to disrupt activities that could pose risks to U.S. personnel and interests in the region as well as to civilians abroad.
The command also reiterated that additional operational details, including specific units and assets involved in the strike, would not be released. Officials cited operational security considerations as the reason for limiting publicly available information.
The action is part of a long-running U.S. counterterrorism campaign in Somalia that has intensified significantly over the past decade. The United States has conducted hundreds of strikes in the country since 2007, primarily targeting ISIS-linked militants and the al-Qaeda-affiliated group Al-Shabaab.
Strike activity has increased sharply in recent years. In 2025 alone, AFRICOM conducted 124 strikes across Somalia, marking one of the highest annual totals in recent years. Early reporting indicates that in 2026, at least 49 strikes have already been carried out by April, suggesting continued elevated operational tempo.
The majority of U.S. military operations in Somalia have focused on southern and central regions in addition to northern mountainous areas, often in coordination with Somali Armed Forces. These missions typically include airstrikes, drone operations, and occasional ground raids aimed at disrupting militant networks.
U.S. officials have described the overall campaign as part of an effort to degrade the operational capabilities of extremist groups that continue to pose threats within Somalia and across the wider region. The sustained pace of operations reflects ongoing security challenges despite years of counterterrorism pressure.
As operations continue, AFRICOM maintains that its efforts are closely aligned with Somali government forces, with a stated focus on preventing attacks against U.S. personnel, regional partners, and civilian populations. The May 4 strike in the Golis Mountains represents the latest in a series of coordinated actions against ISIS-Somalia in an evolving and persistent counterinsurgency environment.