Iraq, Yemen and Syria
In March 2025, Trump ordered airstrikes targeting IS fighters in Iraq, killing Abdallah ‘Abu Khadijah’ Makki Muslih al-Rifai.
On X, he wrote: “Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters. His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!”
Trump has also been in talks with Kurdish leaders about arming opposition forces in Iraq as a counterweight to Tehran. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained: “President Trump has been in contact with many allies and partners in the region throughout the past several days… with respect to our base that we have in northern Iraq.”
Donald Trump: “Hell will rain down upon you”
In Yemen, the president unleashed what was described as a “decisive and powerful” campaign against Houthi rebels in March 2025, following attacks on ships in the Red Sea tied to the Gaza conflict.
Over 1,100 strikes reportedly cost more than $1 billion. Trump wrote: “Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies.” Despite these attacks, the rebels resumed assaults in July, prompting Trump to warn on Truth Social: “HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE.”
On December 19, 2025, the U.S. also launched Operation Hawkeye Strike against IS positions in Syria, following the deaths of two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter. More than 70 targets were attacked.
Somalia and Nigeria
Trump’s military actions have extended to Africa as well. A few days into his second term, he ordered strikes against IS in Somalia.
“The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians… The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that ‘WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!’” he said after the attacks.
By January 2026, he launched additional attacks against al-Shabab. The administration also announced the end of Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said: “Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law’s requirement.”
Outside of Somalia, he also ordered strikes in Nigeria. On Christmas Day 2025, he targeted IS-linked militants in Sokoto state. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said: “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas.”
Latin America
The overnight capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, drew global attention. U.S. Special Forces raided his home, extraditing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
“Last night and early today, at my direction, the United States armed forces conducted an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela. … It was an operation against a heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas to bring outlaw dictator Nicolás Maduro to justice,” Trump said during a press conference.
Trump reassured that the move was “not a declaration of war” but that he was “not afraid of boots on the ground” if necessary.
Trump has also publicly criticized Mexico and Colombia for failing to control drug cartels. He warned that if Mexico “doesn’t get their act together,” action could follow, and he called Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s government “very sick… run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.”
Greenland
Donald Trump has also shared his ambitions to gain control over Greenland, arguing that the island is crucial for U.S. national security.
Earlier this year, when Germany, France, and Sweden deployed troops there, Trump threatened tariffs of up to 25 percent on countries blocking a U.S. purchase. He later softened his stance.
“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be frankly unstoppable. But I won’t do that,” Trump told an audience of world leaders, according to BBC.
“I don’t have to use force, I don’t want to use force, I won’t use force,” he added.
He told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the U.S. is asking for is a place called Greenland… You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember.”
Leaders in Denmark and Greenland have consistently stated that Greenland is not for sale.