A United States military airstrike in Somalia targeted the top Islamic State leader in late May, but it remains unclear if the leader was killed in the airstrike, according to U.S. officials.
Abdulqadir Mumin has been identified by the U.S. as the head of the Islamic State in Somalia, an African affiliate of the terror group once known as ISIS.
A statement from U.S. Africa Command disclosed that on May 31 it had conducted an airstrike in a remote area of northeastern Somalia, south of the Gulf of Aden, that killed three militants affiliated with the Islamic State. The statement did not provide more accurate information about who was specifically being targeted in the airstrike.
Three U.S. officials confirmed to ABC News that the target of the strike was the top leader of the Islamic State in Somalia whom the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) identified as Mumin. However, the U.S. officials said it remained unclear if Mumin had been killed in the airstrike.
A fourth U.S. official would only confirm that a senior Islamic State leader was the target of the strike but would not comment on the individual’s name.
NBC News was first to report that Mumin was the target of the May 31 airstrike and that he had become the global leader of Islamic State.
The NCTC describes Mumin as the founder and leader of the Islamic State in Somalia that operates primarily in the semi-autonomous area of northeastern Somalia known as Puntland.
Founded in 2015, the terror group became an official affiliate of ISIS in 2018 and is believed to have between 100 and 400 members that mainly carry out what are described as “small-scale, sporadic attacks and assassination operations against Somali Government officials and security forces, government-affiliated civilians, Puntland security forces, Africa Union Mission in Somalia peacekeepers, business owners refusing to pay extortion demands, and al-Shabaab.”
Al-Shabaab is the main Islamic militant group in Somalia where its nearly 10,000 members operate in the southern part of the country and is the usual target of U.S. airstrikes in support of Somalia’s government.
On Sunday, the United States carried out an airstrike in Somalia targeting a top leader of the Islamic State in Somalia (ISIS-Somalia). The strike, which took place in the northern part of the country, was part of ongoing efforts to degrade and dismantle the terrorist group’s presence in the region.
The targeted individual, whose name has not been released by US officials, is believed to be a key figure within ISIS-Somalia and responsible for coordinating attacks and recruitment efforts in the region. The airstrike was carried out by unmanned drones and was successful in eliminating the target.
This operation is just the latest in a series of airstrikes conducted by the US military against ISIS-Somalia. The terrorist group has been active in the country since 2015 and has carried out numerous attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and government officials.
The US has been working closely with the Somali government and other regional partners to combat ISIS-Somalia and other extremist groups operating in the region. These efforts have included providing training and support to Somali security forces, as well as conducting targeted airstrikes against high-value targets.
While the airstrike is a significant blow to ISIS-Somalia, experts warn that the group still poses a threat to stability and security in the region. The terrorist group has proven to be resilient and adaptable, and it is likely that they will continue to carry out attacks despite the loss of their top leader.
In response to the airstrike, Somali officials have expressed gratitude for the support of the US military in their efforts to combat terrorism in the country. They have also reiterated their commitment to working with international partners to root out extremist groups and promote peace and stability in Somalia.
The US airstrike targeting a top ISIS leader in Somalia is a clear indication of the ongoing commitment of the US military to combat terrorism in the region. While this operation is a significant victory, it is important to remain vigilant and continue working towards eliminating the threat posed by ISIS-Somalia and other extremist groups in the region.
