Last week, the U.S. carried out a series of strikes in Venezuela. Conducted around 2 a.m. local time, the explosions targeted the La Carlota military airbase and Caracas, the capital of the country.
Approximately 32 Cuban officers and 100 Venezuelans, including citizens, were killed in the attack that removed President Nicolas Maduro from his position. The strikes were related to accusations by the Trump administration that Maduro is running a criminal narco-trafficking organization. The former president and his wife are being charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy and weapons charges.
Maduro has denied the accusation beforehand, accusing the U.S. of wanting the vast oil reserves in Venezuela, of which the Trump administration has accused Venezuela of stealing. In their latest court appearance in lower Manhattan, both Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty to the charges. Since the capture of the Venezuelan president, Trump has claimed that U.S. oil companies will now operate out of Venezuelan oil reserves, although no other details were provided.
Alongside Venezuela, these are the six other countries against which the U.S. led military operations in 2025.
Iraq
On March 13, US forces and Iraqi intelligence led a strike on two ISIS members, including the group’s second in command. Per the US Central Command, both members were found deceased at the site of the strike, carrying weapons and ‘suicide vests’ that had not been used.
Iran
In June 2025, the Trump administration oversaw US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities amid the “Twelve-Day War,” a war between Iran and Israel that led to the death of over 1,000 Iranians. The three nuclear sites were reportedly uranium production centers. One center included the Fortified Fordo nuclear site. The attack on Iran came as they continued to build their nuclear facilities through a program they say is peaceful. On June 22, a US-brokered ceasefire ended the “Twelve Day War.” With the latest meeting, however, the U.S. has once again initiated plans to strike Iran again if it rebuilds its nuclear program. Under pacts such as the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran is not allowed to develop nuclear weapons. The U.S., however, withdrew from the latter pact in 2018 during the first term of the Trump administration.
Syria
On Dec. 19, the U.S. struck 70 targets as part of an operation known as “Operation Hawkeye.” Joined by the Jordanian Armed Forces, the strikes were described as “vengeance” for a Dec. 13 attack that killed two soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Per CNN, the attacker was part of Syria’s Internal Security Service. Although the operation was linked with removing the “remnants of ISIS in Syria,” CNN reported that the US and Syrian government officials admitted that the attacker’s ties did not prove to link directly to the group. The servicemen killed were 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar from Des Moines, Iowa and 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard from Marshalltown, Iowa.
Somalia
Throughout 2025, the administration carried out multiple airstrikes across Somalia, executing 100 strikes in Somalia alone. Beginning in February, the airstrikes targeted the al-Shabaab and ISIL groups. The Somalian government has been in constant battle with the groups. Per the US-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the war has killed approximately 7,289 people over the last year alone. The U.S. has reportedly partnered with the Somali federal government, providing airstrikes as part of “local operations.” With the operations, civilians have been injured as the US airstrikes and Somali troops killed at least 11 citizens, including seven children, in the latest Nov. 15 strike in Lower Jubba.
Nigeria
On Dec. 25, the airstrikes were carried out as part of a “joint operation” with Nigerian officials. Per the US military, the operation was carried out against the Islamic State group in camps located in Sokoto. The death toll is still unknown. It is also said that the strike was carried out against the “Lakurawa” group, which was hiding in Buani Forest. Analysts speaking to news outlet AlJazeera said that the strikes were carried out to appease those who claim there is a “Christian-genocide” in Nigeria, forcing Abuja to act under pressure. The Nigerian government, however, maintains that religion was not a factor.
Yemen
Beginning in 2024, the U.S. has retaliated against the Houthis in a series of airstrikes. The airstrikes have been linked to disruption in Red Sea shipping as the Yemeni Houthis launched attacks of their own in a show of support for Palestinians. The attacks have reportedly damaged infrastructure like airports, radar systems, ports and holding centres. The strikes lasted from March to May 6, following a truce with Oman. Per the U.S., 5,000 Houthis were killed, while the Yemen Ministry of Health maintains that 123 people were killed. A majority of the casualties of the airstrikes are said to be civilians.
