An unexpected military revelation emerged as Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James Kilby disclosed new details about the USS Harry Truman’s most recent deployment.
According to IJR, Admiral Kilby stated Monday that the carrier strike group not only led attacks on Houthi forces in Yemen but also conducted massive airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia, dropping 125,000 pounds of ordnance on terrorist targets. Kilby described the operations as the “largest airstrike in the history of the world,” underscoring the scale and intensity of U.S. military involvement in the region.
The new disclosures come as the Truman strike group returns to American shores after an eight-month deployment, having shifted from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean on May 19. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that the most recent strikes targeted al-Shabaab just north of Mogadishu, a region long plagued by terrorist groups.
Massive air campaign revealed
Admiral Kilby’s announcement at the Council on Foreign Relations provided the first official account of the extent of U.S. operations in Somalia during the Truman’s deployment. While the carrier’s primary mission was to counter Houthi threats in Yemen, the strike group simultaneously bombed ISIS positions in Somalia, reflecting a dual-front campaign few outside military circles had previously recognized.
AFRICOM officials told Stars and Stripes that ISIS’s presence in Somalia has surged dramatically, growing from around 500 fighters to 1,500 over the last 18 months. Notably, 60% of those fighters are thought to be foreign nationals, indicating Somalia’s growing importance as a hub for international jihadist activity. The U.S. military’s heavy bombing campaign comes as ISIS’s numbers have swelled and its operational capacity has increased.
Kilby’s claim of the “largest airstrike in the history of the world” was as much a statement about scale as it was about intent. The operation marked a significant escalation in the U.S. response to militant threats in East Africa, even as the Pentagon sought to manage multiple crises in the region.
Dual missions in Yemen and Somalia
While much public attention focused on U.S. attacks against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, the revelation of simultaneous large-scale action in Somalia has prompted questions about the scope of American commitments abroad. The Houthi rebels, supported by Iran since 2009 and emboldened after seizing Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, had launched nearly 500 attacks on shipping vessels and Israel since October 2023.
The U.S. began its air campaign against the Houthis in March, aiming to curtail their threat to global shipping and allied naval vessels. However, President Donald Trump announced in April that the Houthis had “capitulated” following the bombardment, agreeing to halt attacks if the U.S. ceased operations. Despite this declaration, administration officials acknowledged to The New York Times that the campaign’s costs were rising and its success was not as clear-cut as advertised.
Critics of the administration have pointed to Truman’s dual missions as evidence of overextension and questioned the long-term impact. Proponents, however, argue that simultaneous action in Yemen and Somalia demonstrates a proactive stance against the world’s most dangerous militant groups.
High cost and human toll
The Truman’s deployment was not without setbacks. The carrier lost three fighter aircraft during its mission in the Red Sea, including one F/A-18 Super Hornet that fell off the carrier on April 28. Each of these advanced jets costs nearly $60 million, according to Navy estimates, underscoring the financial and operational risks associated with such intensive campaigns.
Somalia’s persistent security crisis has attracted consistent U.S. attention. Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, remains the country’s most notorious terror group, but the emergence of ISIS as a rival faction has further complicated the landscape. The ISIS branch in Somalia originated from a split with al-Shabaab in 2015, and both groups continue to vie for territory and recruits.
AFRICOM confirmed Saturday’s strikes targeted al-Shabaab positions just over 100 miles north of Mogadishu, highlighting ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist operations. As the Truman strike group returns home, questions linger about the effectiveness and sustainability of such large-scale interventions.
Divided reactions and future outlook
Supporters of the administration argue that the unprecedented airstrikes delivered a vital blow to ISIS’s expansion in Somalia and reinforced American deterrence in the region. They point to the complex threat posed by foreign fighters and the necessity of aggressive action to prevent terrorist safe havens.
Critics, however, voice concerns about mission creep and the escalating costs of multiple overseas campaigns. Some security analysts argue that while large airstrikes can degrade enemy capabilities, they risk civilian casualties and may drive further radicalization in already unstable regions. Questions also remain about the long-term strategy and whether gains can be sustained once U.S. forces withdraw.
AFRICOM did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the operation or its aftermath. The lack of detailed public information has fueled debate over transparency and accountability in U.S. military actions abroad.
