In a historic military operation, the US Navy conducted its largest-ever airstrike from an aircraft carrier, targeting ISIS positions in Somalia.
On February 1, 2025, approximately 16 F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets launched from the USS Harry S. Truman, delivering a staggering 125,000 pounds of munitions onto ISIS-Somalia strongholds.
The Primary Targets of US Navy Airstrikes
The primary targets were senior ISIS-Somalia leaders concealed within cave complexes in northern Somalia.
Among those killed was Ahmed Maeleninine, an Omani-born ISIS recruiter and financier.
This unprecedented strike was part of a broader U.S. military campaign in the region.
AFRICOM Airstrikes in Somalia
Since January 2025, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has conducted 25 airstrikes in Somalia, aiming to dismantle ISIS and al-Shabaab networks.
ISIS-Somalia faction has reportedly grown from about 500 to 1,500 fighters over the past 18 months, with approximately 60% being foreign combatants.
670 strikes in Yemen
The USS Harry S. Truman’s deployment has been marked by extensive operations, including 670 strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
In addition to the interception of around 160 enemy drones and missiles in the Red Sea.
Following these missions, the carrier strike group transitioned to the Mediterranean Sea to participate in NATO exercises.
This monumental airstrike underscores the US Navy’s operational capabilities and its commitment to combating terrorism in the Horn of Africa.
