General Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), is scheduled to testify before the United States Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
Efforts Against Al-Shabaab Fighters
General Langley will discuss ongoing operations aimed at countering Al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group based in Somalia.
Al-Shabaab’s Growing Ties with Yemen’s Houthi Rebels
Concerns have been raised about the increasing collaboration between Al-Shabaab and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. This alliance could potentially destabilize the Gulf of Aden region and disrupt global commerce.
Islamic State’s Presence in Somalia
The Islamic State’s footprint in Somalia has reportedly doubled over the past year, raising alarms about the group’s expanding influence in the region.
A recent global terrorism threat assessment from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlighted the evolving nature of terrorist threats.
While the prominence of groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State has declined, violent far-right and far-left extremist ideologies have become more prominent globally.
Additionally, Iran’s support for terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah continues to pose significant challenges.
These developments underscore the importance of continued vigilance and adaptive strategies to address the dynamic landscape of global terrorism.