The United States has increased its airstrikes in Somalia since January, focusing on the al-Shabab group and the local ISIS affiliate. Reports indicate that the U.S. military has been working alongside the Somali federal government for these operations.
On January 12, AFRICOM announced strikes targeting al-Shabab militants, stressing that these efforts are part of a broader campaign to weaken groups that pose threats to the U.S. military and its citizens abroad.
In addition, airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia were noted on January 9 and 11, particularly in the northern region of Puntland, southeast of Bosaso. Further attacks against al-Shabab occurred on January 8 near Bour Heibo, located about 154 kilometers from Mogadishu.
AFRICOM mentioned that airstrikes were also executed on January 3 and 4 in coordination with Somali authorities, although casualty numbers have not been disclosed.
This renewed series of actions comes as overall U.S. airstrikes in Somalia are escalating. Between February 1 and June 10, 2025, the Trump administration conducted 38 airstrikes targeting both al-Shabab and the Islamic State.
AFRICOM has reported on continued strikes following this period, with independent observers noting an uptick in operations since President Trump resumed office in 2024. In an address to the Senate Armed Services Committee, AFRICOM Commander Gen. Michael E. Langley expressed concerns about the threats posed by African jihadist groups, indicating that the expansion of ISIS and al-Qaeda could directly endanger the U.S. homeland.
Langley emphasized the necessity for continued collaboration with intelligence and interagency partners to minimize risks to U.S. national security.
Al-Shabaab, associated with al-Qaeda, has been engaged in conflict with the Somali government since 2007 and maintains control over parts of south-central Somalia. Meanwhile, the ISIS group in Somalia is relatively small, largely confined to Puntland, where it competes with al-Shabaab for influence.
According to estimates from the African Center for Strategic Studies, Somalia’s ongoing conflict with armed factions is projected to be one of the deadliest in Africa through 2024, likely resulting in around 7,289 fatalities.
AFRICOM has not yet provided a comment on these developments.
