On February 1st, 2025, U.S. forces carried out airstrikes against certain individuals in the Islamic State group in Somalia, according to President Trump. On social media, Trump claimed that “these killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies. . . The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians.”  

The Somalian President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, consequently posted on X, signaling governmental knowledge of the actions that the U.S. were enacting. The president went so far as to express gratitude for the “unwavering support of the United States in our shared fight against terrorism,” specifically mentioning President Trump in his post. This collaboration between Somalia and the United States seems to be rooted in the opposition of terrorism, and Trump’s ‘dedication’ to fighting terrorists. The U.S. president elaborated on this in his post, emphasizing his “message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!” The U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth further highlighted in a statement the U.S.’s intent to send multiple signals and warnings to terrorists.  

Statements like these emphasize the priorities of the United States, one of them being to eliminate terrorist threats. This seems to clash with the rather isolationist, ‘America-First’ international policy that comes with the Trump administration. However, the administration claims that these groups in foreign nations also threaten the United States.

The United States has had a history with terrorism, becoming more dedicated with the 9/11 attacks. The Trump administration, both first term and current, has claimed to “stand up for the people of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua against corrupt, socialist regimes,” among others, and asserts that “terrorists are losing, and peace is breaking out,” according to the Trump White House Archives. Recently, Somalia has faced increasing instability as both al-Shabaab and ISIS-affiliated militants continue to pose security threats. The Somali government, with U.S. support, has been conducting joint operations to reclaim territory and dismantle terrorist networks.

However, concerns remain about the long-term effectiveness of military intervention, especially as civilian casualties and regional instability persist. Military airstrikes are extremely effective when it comes to neutralizing immediate threats, and can be crucial to dismantling networks and slowing down other plans. One must wonder, however, if these actions could result in further instability. Regardless, it is increasingly important to ensure that military action does not stand alone. A comprehensive solution includes political aspects, economic investments, and community engagement to prevent a broader radicalization and resurgence.

Counterterrorism is not a simple concept, containing several complexities, nuances, and consequences—whether intended or otherwise. Military actions rarely provide long-term solutions, because networks, unless completely dismantled, can always be rebuilt when they are knocked down. This questions whether military actions create sustainable peace, especially where political, economic, and social problems remain unresolved. The future of peace in Somalia, as well as other nations threatened by extremist groups, boils down to comprehensive strategies. Achieving peace is, as many things are, easier said than done. If the U.S. and its allies fail to incorporate comprehensive elements into their counterterrorism policies, they risk perpetuating cycles of violence rather than breaking them. The international community must evaluate whether the current strategy promotes lasting security or simply postpones future conflicts.