The number of U.S. airstrikes targeting ISIS and Al-Shabaab in Somalia has increased more than tenfold under the President Donald Trump administration this year, compared to 10 missions under President Joe Biden in 2024, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Friday.
AFRICOM confirmed that it carried out 10 airstrikes in 2024 and more than 100 in Somalia so far this year.
In Tuesday’s latest operation, AFRICOM conducted an airstrike and reportedly fought a gun battle lasting up to four hours with ISIS-Somalia fighters in Puntland, northeastern Somalia. AFRICOM stated the mission occurred in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.
Local sources said high-value ISIS targets were hit, including a senior terror leader reportedly killed or captured, along with up to 10 other militants. No U.S. casualties were reported.
This strike forms part of U.S. operations against ISIS, ISIS-Somalia, and al Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab. AFRICOM reported Thursday that it has conducted 101 airstrikes in Somalia this year, with 59 targeting ISIS-Somalia specifically.
Local accounts described MQ-9 Reaper drones firing missiles at fighters near a large cave, followed by an assault with 10 helicopters. Some reports claimed U.S. troops landed from the helicopters, but AFRICOM denied any ground presence, stressing no ground operation took place.
In August, AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson stated the strikes show U.S. dedication to protecting Americans and allies from global terrorism by targeting groups aiming to spread terror overseas.
Ahmed Soliman, senior research fellow at Chatham House, explained that the U.S. emphasis in Puntland seeks to block another ISIS safe haven and limit foreign fighter recruitment. He added that Al-Shabaab has exploited shifts in global focus to reclaim territory amid Somalia’s divided politics and disputes between the federal government and regions like Puntland and Jubbaland.
In May, AFRICOM’s then-commander, Gen. Michael E. Langley, said the U.S. is actively hunting and neutralizing jihadists in Somalia.
