U.S. Airstrikes in Somalia Increase Dramatically Under Trump Administration
The United States military has significantly intensified its counterterrorism operations in Somalia this year, conducting over 100 airstrikes against jihadi targets – more than ten times the number carried out under President Biden in 2024. This dramatic escalation reflects the Trump administration’s more aggressive approach to combating terrorist organizations in the Horn of Africa, particularly ISIS-Somalia and the al Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed this substantial increase in military activity, highlighting that of the 101 airstrikes conducted so far, 59 specifically targeted ISIS-Somalia operatives. The stark contrast with the previous administration’s approach underscores a fundamental shift in U.S. counterterrorism strategy in the region.
In the most recent operation this Tuesday, U.S. forces conducted a significant airstrike against ISIS-Somalia jihadists in Puntland, northern Somalia. According to local sources, the attack began with missile strikes from MQ9 Reaper drones targeting terrorists positioned in and around a large cave complex, followed by an assault reportedly involving multiple helicopters. This operation, which allegedly lasted up to four hours, resulted in the death or capture of a high-level ISIS leader and approximately ten terrorists. AFRICOM stated the mission was conducted “in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia,” though they declined to provide specific details about the units or assets involved for security reasons, and explicitly denied reports that American troops conducted a ground operation on Somali soil.
The intensification of U.S. military engagement in Somalia represents part of a broader strategy to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups that could potentially threaten American interests at home and abroad. AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson emphasized this point following multiple airstrikes in August, stating these “lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to ensuring Americans and our partners remain safe from the threat of global terrorism.” Official photographs released alongside AFRICOM’s statement showed U.S. aircraft launching from an aircraft carrier, highlighting the significant military resources being dedicated to these operations. Former AFRICOM Commander Gen. Michael E. Langley similarly noted in May that “the U.S. is actively pursuing and eliminating jihadists” in Somalia.
Security experts observe that the U.S. focus on ISIS in Puntland is largely driven by concerns about preventing the emergence of another international ISIS safe haven and countering the potential threat posed by the group’s recruitment of foreign fighters. Ahmed Soliman, senior research fellow at Chatham House’s Africa Program, explained this strategic priority to Fox News Digital. However, he also noted growing concerns that the international response may be lagging behind the pace of al-Shabab’s resurgence in central and southern Somalia. This imbalanced approach has potentially allowed al-Shabab to reconsolidate its operations in other regions, taking advantage of the concentrated focus on ISIS-Somalia in the north.
The effectiveness of these counterterrorism operations is further complicated by Somalia’s fragmented political landscape. Soliman highlighted that ongoing power struggles between the Federal Government of Somalia and member states like Puntland and Jubaland have undermined coordination and counterterrorism efforts throughout the country. These internal divisions create governance gaps that terrorist organizations can exploit, making it more difficult for U.S. and allied forces to achieve lasting security improvements despite the increased tempo of military operations. The situation illustrates the complex challenges faced by external powers intervening in Somalia, where military actions alone cannot address the underlying political and social conditions that facilitate extremist recruitment and operations.
As the United States continues its intensified military campaign in Somalia, questions remain about the sustainability and long-term effectiveness of this approach. While the dramatic increase in airstrikes may disrupt terrorist networks in the short term, security experts caution that without addressing Somalia’s political fragmentation and governance challenges, military operations alone may not produce lasting stability. The stark contrast between the current administration’s aggressive approach and the more restrained posture of the previous administration highlights the ongoing debate about the most effective strategy for countering terrorism in the Horn of Africa – a debate that balances immediate security concerns against longer-term political solutions and regional stability considerations.
