A U.S. joint terminal attack controller looks through binoculars in Mogadishu, Somalia, April 22, 2022. Farther north in Somalia this week, U.S. forces launched airstrikes that killed Islamic State group militants, U.S. Africa Command said. (Alysia Blake/U.S. Air Force)

STUTTGART, Germany — A series of airstrikes this week killed multiple Islamic militants in Somalia, U.S. Africa Command said Wednesday.

The strikes, which were in coordination with the Somali government, hit ISIS-Somalia operatives, AFRICOM said.

The Tuesday attacks occurred in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, an area in northern Somalia where the militant group has been building up its presence.

“ISIS-Somalia has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. and partner forces,” AFRICOM said in a statement. “This group’s malicious efforts threaten U.S. security interests.”

Over the years, AFRICOM airstrikes against ISIS militants in Somalia have been relatively rare compared with those against the al-Shabab group, the largest terrorist organization in the country.

However, there are indications that ISIS in Somalia is expanding. It was formed in 2015 by a group of defectors from the al-Qaida-aligned al-Shabab. By 2019, there were an estimated 300 ISIS militants there.

Now, some analysts estimate the ISIS ranks in Somalia at 1,000 members.

Last month, AFRICOM launched strikes against ISIS, including one on Feb. 1 that killed 14 militants.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at AFRICOM headquarters during a February visit, said the airstrikes were an example of commanders’ now having more decision-making authority on such matters.

“That’s a reflection … of pushing authority down (and) untying the hands of warfighters,” Hegseth said. “(Such decisions) should be made at the four-star level or at the Secretary of Defense level more quickly based on the ability to degrade the enemy.”