Trump Orders Airstrikes Across Nine Countries in 2025 to ‘Protect the Homeland’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Throughout 2025, President Donald Trump, who has often branded himself as a peace president, authorized a series of lethal airstrikes spanning nine countries and regions, underscoring his administration’s readiness to use military force to safeguard U.S. national security interests. These operations, conducted under the auspices of various U.S. military commands, targeted terrorist groups and hostile actors deemed threats to American lives and assets abroad.
In Somalia, the U.S. Africa Command continued its campaign against ISIS factions and al-Shabab militants. A notable strike on February 1 targeted cave complexes in northern Somalia, resulting in the deaths of 14 ISIS operatives, including Ahmed Maeleninine, a high-ranking recruiter and financier responsible for deploying militants into the United States and Europe. This operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the Horn of Africa.
Thousands of miles away, the Trump administration launched “Operation Rough Rider” against Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. Beginning in March, U.S. Central Command executed strikes against over 1,000 targets, significantly degrading the Houthis’ capabilities and eliminating numerous fighters and leaders. These strikes were a direct response to attacks on U.S. military and commercial vessels navigating the Red Sea. According to a spokesperson for the Department of War, Sean Parnell, the campaign was “hugely successful,” culminating in a ceasefire agreement on May 6. Since then, the Houthis have refrained from attacking U.S. ships, although they have continued to target vessels from other nations.
In Iraq’s Al Anbar province, a March 13 airstrike by U.S. Central Command killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, the No. 2 leader of ISIS, along with another operative. This strike marked a critical blow to the terrorist organization’s leadership structure in the region.
Perhaps the most high-profile operation came in late June with “Midnight Hammer,” a bold mission aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Under Trump’s direction, B-2 stealth bombers launched from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri delivered bunker buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles against three key Iranian nuclear sites. The Pentagon reported that the strikes effectively decimated Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, a move intended to halt progress toward nuclear weapons capability.
Beyond these hotspots, the Trump administration also targeted Venezuelan drug trafficking operations, including strikes on narco-trafficking vessels, further demonstrating the global scope of U.S. military actions in 2025.
These operations reflect a strategic approach that balances diplomatic rhetoric with decisive military action. While President Trump has frequently emphasized his desire for peace, his administration’s use of force signals a willingness to act aggressively when U.S. interests or security are perceived to be at risk.
For more details on U.S. military operations and national security policies, visit the Department of Defense and U.S. Africa Command. Information on counterterrorism efforts and sanctions can be found at the U.S. Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency.
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