USS Harry Truman’s Operations in Somalia and Yemen
The USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier has been actively involved in military operations, targeting sites in Somalia and addressing threats from the Yemeni Houthi rebels, as an admiral disclosed on Monday.
While primarily focused on its mission in Yemen, the carrier has also carried out airstrikes on ISIS positions in Somalia, deploying bombs valued at approximately £125,000. This information was shared by Prime Minister James Kilby during a session with the Foreign Relations Council. According to reports, ISIS has seen its forces in Somalia swell from about 500 fighters to 1,500 in just a year and a half, with around 60% being foreign nationals, as noted by a spokesman for the US Africa Command (Africom).
Kilby remarked that his unit executed “the biggest airstrike in world history” during these operations. The Truman relocated to the Mediterranean Sea on May 19, following eight months at sea, and is now making its way back to the American coast.
Somalia has been notorious for harboring terrorist groups, especially al-Shabaab, which is allied with al-Qaeda. The ISIS faction in Somalia emerged after splitting from al-Shabaab back in 2015.
Additionally, the Truman had a rough time, losing three of its F/A-18 Super Hornet jets during its deployment in the Red Sea, each valued near $60 million.
The US military launched strikes against the Houthi rebels in March to protect international shipping routes and safeguard US and Israeli naval vessels. Since October 2023, the Houthis have reportedly conducted nearly 500 attacks on shipping operations and targeted Israel.
In April, President Donald Trump stated he had agreed to halt further attacks, provided the Houthis adhered to certain conditions and that US bombing operations ceased. However, progress in the campaign has reportedly lagged behind expectations, leading to rising costs and discussions with the rebels.
Iran has been backing the Houthi rebels since 2009, with support escalating after the rebels captured Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014.
Africom did not promptly respond to inquiries for comments regarding these developments.
