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US carries out days of airstrikes in Somalia after a month’s pause

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After more than a month without conducting airstrikes in Somalia, the U.S. military quickly ramped up its actions in the country this past week. U.S. forces carried out four strikes in support of Somali, all targeting al-Shabab militants in the country.

According to U.S. Africa Command, American forces launched four airstrikes against al-Shabab between June 14-19. The attacks are the first airstrikes in the country since the U.S. targeted the Islamic State’s Somalia branch on May 6.

AFRICOM’s statements announcing the operations were near-identical, differing only on the date and location the strikes took place.

“AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al-Shabaab’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and our citizens abroad,” each statement said. “Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.”

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AFRICOM did not provide many details, only that the strikes happened in the country’s south, in the lower Juba region or near the city of Kismayo. However local Somali media report the fighting targeted bases and supply depots used by the al-Qaeda-linked militants. Garowe Online, citing Jubaland officials, said that the operations had ground force backed by airstrikes, and Hiraan reported 14 militants killed, although it attributed that to the actions of the U.S.-trained Danab special operations unit.

The pause in operations in Somalia were a break from the new norm for the U.S. military, which has been steadily conducting airstrikes in the country for more than a year. In May, AFRICOM carried out only two strikes in Somalia, targeting ISIS, but also ramped up operations against ISIS in Nigeria, where the American military has stepped up its presence since an operation on Christmas. That included a joint American-Nigerian operation that killed ISIS’s global second in command Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

By AFRICOM’s own figures, the U.S. conducted 63 strikes in Somalia this year prior to June. This weekend’s operations bring this year’s tally to more than half the number of strikes in 2025, when the Trump administration rapidly escalated the air war after it had subdued under the Biden administration. In 2025, the US carried out 126 air operations, compared to 11 the year prior.

The military is also investing in its intelligence capabilities and cultural outreach in Somalia. As Military Times reported earlier this month, Joint Special Operations Task Force – Somalia is looking to hire cultural and political advisers to translate for and assist in interactions with Somali governmental and tribal leaders. The special operations solicitation says that the effort will “allow JSOTF-SOM to successfully conduct its mission with an understanding of local customs, history, cultural routines, tribal dynamics, local government, and the socio-cultural context in which operations are being planned and conducted.”

Earlier this year the U.S. began a large-scale overhaul of the airfield at the Manda Bay Air Base in Kenya, a Kenyan installation used by American troops. That base has been a staging ground for American aircraft in missions against al-Shabab and ISIS.

The post US carries out days of airstrikes in Somalia after a month’s pause appeared first on Task & Purpose.

Classification
Region
Africa
Analytical Domain
Operational
Primary Category / Secondary Categories
Military Operations / Logistics
Subcategory
Airstrike
SALUTE Report
Size
Four airstrikes conducted
Activity
U.S. military carried out airstrikes targeting al-Shabab militants
Location
Kismayo · Lower Juba · Somalia
Unit
U.S. military, Somali Armed Forces
Time
June 14-19
Equipment
aircraft
Summary

The U.S. military conducted four airstrikes against al-Shabab militants in Somalia from June 14-19, 2023. This marked the first airstrikes since May 6, targeting militant bases in the Lower Juba region near Kismayo. Local reports indicate that 14 militants were killed, with operations supported by Somali ground forces. U.S. Africa Command stated that these actions aim to degrade al-Shabab's capabilities.

Key Facts
  • U.S. conducted four airstrikes in Somalia targeting al-Shabab militants.
  • The strikes occurred between June 14-19, 2023.
  • These are the first airstrikes since May 6, 2023.
  • Local reports indicate 14 militants were killed during the operations.
  • The operations were supported by ground forces.

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