MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to back Somali people in their fight against ISIS, as the northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland prepares to launch the last phase of its offensive against the militant group.
In a sharply worded statement, Trump also warned Somalis against allowing Houthi militants to gain a foothold in the country.
Trump declared that he had dismantled Biden-era bureaucratic restrictions, empowering U.S. military to take decisive action. He claimed recent operations had “completely obliterated” ISIS, likely referencing joint efforts with Puntland forces.
The statement signals Trump’s growing focus on Somalia’s northern Puntland region as a strategic front in Washington’s broader campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The U.S. has been seeking a military base in Somalia to facilitate strikes against the Iran-aligned group after Djibouti—home to a major American base—reportedly refused to permit offensive operations from its soil over fears of retaliatory attacks.
Satellite imagery shows significant expansions at Bosaso Airport, a key commercial hub near the Gulf of Aden. The upgrades include suspected missile defense fortifications, reportedly constructed by the United Arab Emirates, a close U.S. ally. While unconfirmed, analysts suggest the site could serve as a potential launchpad for U.S. coalition operations against the Houthis.
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