US AFRICOM FORCES CONFIRM OPERATION THAT RESULTED IN DEATHS OF 10 ISIS MILITANTS AND ISIS REGIONAL LEADER BILAL AL-SUDANI IN NORTHERN SOMALIA
1/26/2023
[East Africa]: It was confirmed today that key regional ISIS figure Bilal al-Sudani and 10 ISIS militants were killed yesterday following a military operation conducted by US forces in Somalia yesterday. The incident occurred when US forces believed to be deployed from Djibouti, received approval from US President Joe Biden following months of planning and intelligence gathering to conduct a raid on the leader’s base located within a complex cave system in Somalia’s mountainous region. Originally the troops were tasked with capturing al-Sudani to be able to use the leader for intelligence purposes, however, the response from the militants prompted an intense firefight resulting in the leader’s death. Furthermore, it was noted that no US service members sustained injuries while conducting the operation. Al-Sudani has been known to be fostering the growing presence of ISIS in Africa as well as financing their operations. Prior to becoming involved with ISIS, Sudani was known for recruiting and training fighters for Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Shabaab in Somalia for nearly a decade.
Multiple US officials have confirmed the results of the raid including US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who stated, “On January 25, the US military conducted an assault operation in northern Somalia that resulted in the death of a number of ISIS members, including Bilal al-Sudani." Confirming Sudani’s activities a separate official speaking on the condition of anonymity stated, “Sudani had a key operational and financial role with specialized skills which made him an important target for US counterterrorism action," adding, “From his mountain base in northern Somalia, he provided and coordinated funding for IS branches, not only in Africa but also Islamic-State Khorasan, the arm operating in Afghanistan.”
Since the beginning of his tenure, President Biden has progressively been increasing US military support within Somalia, however, instead of a direct-action role it has been mostly training of Somali forces, air strikes, and more recently the donation of military equipment, weapons, and vehicles to Somali national forces to combat terrorism within the nation.
[Figure 1]: Official statement from US SECDEF confirming the operation
[Figure 2]: Official press release from US AFRICOM confirming the operation