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The United States has intensified its military operations in Somalia this January, conducting multiple airstrikes targeting both al-Shabab and the local Islamic State affiliate, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
On January 12, AFRICOM announced that U.S. forces, working in close coordination with Somalia’s federal government, carried out airstrikes against al-Shabab militants. The command stated that these operations aim to “degrade the group’s ability to threaten the U.S. homeland, U.S. forces and Americans overseas.”
Additional strikes targeting ISIS-Somalia were conducted on January 11 and January 9 in northern Somalia’s Golis Mountains region of Puntland, southeast of Bosaso. Further operations against al-Shabab occurred on January 8 near Buur Heybo, approximately 154 kilometers northwest of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
AFRICOM also reported conducting airstrikes “in coordination with Somali authorities” between January 3 and 4, though no casualty figures were released for any of these operations.
These recent airstrikes represent a broader escalation of U.S. military involvement in Somalia. According to AFRICOM data, between February 1 and June 10, 2025, U.S. forces conducted 38 airstrikes against extremist groups in Somalia, with additional strikes occurring since then.
Independent monitoring organizations have documented a significant increase in U.S. military operations in Somalia since President Donald Trump returned to office in 2024, as noted in a report by the Combating Terrorism Center.
The strategic rationale for this intensified campaign was articulated by AFRICOM commander Gen. Michael E. Langley during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in April 2025. “We are acutely aware that if ISIS and al Qaeda groups continue their expansion, they will pose a direct threat to the U.S. homeland,” Langley stated, adding that AFRICOM would “work collaboratively with the intelligence community and inter-agency partners to keep the risk to U.S. national security interests low.”
Somalia has been plagued by insurgent violence for well over a decade. Al-Shabab, an al Qaeda-affiliated organization, has been fighting Somalia’s government since 2007 and continues to control significant territory in the country’s south-central region. The group remains the dominant extremist faction in the country, with a demonstrated capacity to carry out large-scale attacks both within Somalia and in neighboring nations.
ISIS-Somalia represents a smaller but persistent threat, operating primarily in Puntland’s mountainous northeastern region. Security analysts note that ISIS-Somalia often competes with al-Shabab for influence and territorial control in these areas, creating a complex security environment for both Somali forces and their international partners.
The human toll of this protracted conflict has been devastating. According to the U.S.-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Somalia’s ongoing struggle against armed extremist groups ranked as the third-deadliest conflict in Africa through 2024, with an estimated 7,289 fatalities.
The Biden administration had previously adjusted U.S. policy toward Somalia, initially reducing direct military engagement before later reauthorizing certain operations. The return of the Trump administration has brought a more aggressive approach, prioritizing direct military action against perceived terrorist threats in the Horn of Africa.
Regional security experts suggest that while airstrikes may disrupt terrorist operations in the short term, long-term stability in Somalia will require comprehensive political solutions, economic development, and strengthening Somali security institutions. The Somali National Army continues to build its capabilities, but remains dependent on international support in its fight against extremist organizations.
As U.S. military operations in Somalia accelerate, questions remain about the long-term strategy for stabilizing the region and the metrics for measuring success in what has become one of Africa’s most persistent security challenges.
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7 Comments
Interesting to see the continued US military involvement in Somalia, targeting both ISIS and al-Shabab. I wonder how these latest airstrikes fit into the broader counterterrorism strategy, and whether there are any efforts to address the underlying political and social dynamics fueling the conflict.
While the US military escalation in Somalia is concerning, I understand the need to disrupt the activities of groups like ISIS and al-Shabab. Curious to see if there are also diplomatic and economic initiatives underway to address the root causes of extremism in the region.
The latest airstrikes against ISIS and al-Shabab in Somalia seem like a necessary step to address the persistent terrorist threat. I wonder how the US is coordinating with Somali authorities and other regional partners to ensure a comprehensive approach.
Interesting to see the continued efforts by the US military to target ISIS and al-Shabab in Somalia. Curious to know more about the tactical objectives and how effective these strikes have been at disrupting the terrorist groups’ operations.
Ongoing counterterrorism operations in Somalia are certainly critical, given the persistent threats posed by ISIS and al-Shabab. I wonder if these strikes are coordinated with regional partners to maximize their impact and avoid civilian casualties.
Appreciative of the US military’s efforts to target these dangerous terrorist groups in Somalia. However, curious to learn more about the long-term strategy and how these short-term kinetic operations fit into a broader plan for regional stability and security.
While the US has ramped up airstrikes in Somalia, it’s important to monitor whether this approach is truly effective at rooting out the terrorist networks. Curious to see more transparency around the results and if alternative strategies are also being considered.