US military conducts airstrikes against alleged Islamic State operatives in Somalia
Washington, Feb 1 (AP): The US military has conducted coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State operatives in Somalia, the first attacks in the African nation during President Donald Trump's second term.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday that the strikes by US Africa Command were directed by Trump and coordinated with Somalia's government.
An initial assessment by the Pentagon indicated that “multiple” operatives were killed. The Pentagon said is assesses no civilians were harmed in the strikes.
Trump, in a post on social media, said a senior IS planner and recruits were targeted in the operation.
“The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians. Our Military has targeted this ISIS Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn't act quickly enough to get the job done. I did!” Trump said. “The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!”
Trump did not identify the IS planner or say whether that person was killed in the strike. White House officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
US military officials have warned that IS cells have received increasing direction from the group's leadership that relocated to northern Somalia. That has included how to kidnap Westerners for ransom, how to learn better military tactics, how to hide from drones and how to building their own small quadcopters.
A US military airstrike in Somalia last May targeted IS group and killed three, according to US Africa Command.
The number of IS militants in the country are estimated to be in the hundreds, mostly scattered in the Cal Miskaat mountains in Puntland's Bari region, according to the International Crisis Group.
This morning I ordered precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia. These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies. The strikes destroyed the caves they live in,…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 1, 2025
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Missing 19-year-old boy found in Udupi, returns to Bantwal under police security
Bantwal: Much to the relief of his family members, the 19-year-old boy Diganth, who had gone missing from Farangipet recently, was found in Udupi on Saturday, with Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Yatheesh N stating that Diganth is being brought to Bantwal under police security.
The boy, who is a resident of Kidebettu near Farangipet and a 2nd PUC student, had reportedly left home on February 25 saying he would be visiting a temple but had neither gone to the temple nor returned home. In addition, his mobile phone and blood-stained footwear were seen on the railway track near his house, increasing the family’s worry.
The SP said that had about 150 police personnel from across Dakshina Kannada had been searching for the missing boy for 10 days. The police were joined by the staff of the fire brigade and the team had also used the dog squad and drones to look for Diganth.
