The frequency of U.S. airstrikes targeting jihadist groups in Somalia has surged dramatically this year, showing an increase of over ten times when compared to operations carried out during the Biden administration in 2024.
According to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), there have been more than 100 airstrikes this year alone. Just on Tuesday, African military forces participated in airstrikes following an intense four-hour gunfight involving ISIS and Somali jihadists in Puntland, a northern region of Somalia. AFRICOM stated that these operations were coordinated with Somalia’s Federal Government.
In another operation dubbed “Lethal Strike,” U.S. military forces eliminated three narco-terrorists linked to a drug network in the Eastern Pacific.
Local reports indicated that several key ISIS targets were struck, with at least one leader either killed or captured, and estimates suggest that up to ten terrorists may have been killed in recent conflicts. Thankfully, there have been no reports of casualties among U.S. troops.
This attack forms part of a broader campaign against various militant groups in Somalia, particularly ISIS, its local affiliate, and the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab.
An AFRICOM spokesperson mentioned that airstrikes were conducted approximately 40 miles southeast of Bosaso, bringing the total to 101 strikes this year, 59 of which targeted ISIS in Somalia directly. They emphasized ongoing collaboration with the Somali government to counter threats from ISIS and al-Shabab, which pose risks not just to local citizens but to U.S. interests as well.
During the most recent strike, reports suggest that a U.S. MQ9 Reaper drone initiated the assault with missile strikes on militants situated near a large cave, followed by helicopter attacks, during which U.S. personnel allegedly disembarked. However, military officials denied any ground troops were involved and insisted such claims were inaccurate, emphasizing their commitment to operational security.
In August, AFRICOM reported conducting several missions against ISIS fighters, with Gen. Dagvin Anderson highlighting the urgency of protecting Americans from global terrorism threats. He remarked that such operations target groups seeking to spread terrorism to the U.S. and its allies.
Ahmed Soliman, a senior fellow at the Chatham House Africa Program, expressed concerns about ISIS activity in Puntland, noting that it could serve as a base for recruiting foreign fighters. He underscored the need for a more robust international response to the resurgence of al-Shabab, especially amidst Somalia’s fragmented political landscape, where ongoing power struggles complicate counterterrorism efforts.
Furthermore, Gen. Michael E. Langley, former AFRICOM commander, reiterated the U.S.’s active role in pursuing and neutralizing jihadist threats during a discussion with Aerospace Forces Magazine earlier this year.
