US forces hit terror targets in Somalia as air campaign intensifies

The US stepped up airstrikes in Somalia in January, focusing on Al-Shabab and the native affiliate of the Islamic State, ISIS. American Africa Command (AFRICOM).

In a Jan. 12 press launch, AFRICOM mentioned U.S. forces, in coordination with the Somali federal authorities, carried out airstrikes in opposition to al-Shabab militants.

AFRICOM mentioned the operation was a part of ongoing efforts to “cut back the group’s capacity to threaten the U.S. homeland, U.S. army forces, and Individuals overseas.”

On January 11 and 9, airstrikes in opposition to ISIS-Somalia have been additionally reported in northern Somalia, together with the Golis Mountains in Puntland, southeast of Bosaso.

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US forces will full an operation in opposition to ISIS in Somalia in August 2025. (Hannah Kantner/AFRICOM)

Extra airstrikes in opposition to Al-Shabab have been reported on January 8, together with one close to Buur Heybo, about 93 miles (154 kilometers) northwest of Mogadishu.

The command mentioned strikes have been additionally carried out “in coordination with Somali authorities” between the night of January 3 and 4.

AFRICOM mentioned in a press launch that the assaults have been a part of a broader marketing campaign with Somali companions. No casualty figures have been launched.

The most recent wave of operations comes amid a broader intensification of U.S. airstrikes in Somalia.

In accordance with info launched by AFRICOM, the US carried out 38 airstrikes in opposition to Al-Shabab and the Islamic State in Somalia between February 1, when the Trump administration carried out its first assault in Somalia in 2025, and June 10.

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Airstrikes in Somalia are escalating as US forces work with Somali authorities within the combat in opposition to Al-Shabab. (TONY KARUMBA/AFP by way of Getty Photos)

AFRICOM has mentioned further strikes have been carried out since June 10.

Impartial monitoring organizations have reported a rise in strikes since President Donald Trump returned to energy in 2024, in response to a report from the Combating Terrorism Middle.

The report cited an April 2025 assertion by AFRICOM Commander Gen. Michael E. Langley earlier than the Senate Armed Providers Committee wherein he referred to the potential risk that jihadist teams in Africa pose to the American homeland.

“We’re acutely conscious that if ISIS and Al Qaeda teams proceed their growth, they are going to pose a direct risk to the American homeland,” Langley mentioned.

“Given this atmosphere, U.S. AFRICOM will work with the intelligence neighborhood and interagency companions to maintain danger to U.S. nationwide safety pursuits low,” Langley mentioned in an announcement.

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Members of the terrorist insurgent group al-Shabab parade by the streets of the Somali capital Mogadishu on January 1, 2010. (REUTERS/Feisal Omar)

Al-Shabab, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, has been waging battle in opposition to the Somali authorities since 2007 and continues to regulate territory in south-central Somalia.

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ISIS-Somalia is a smaller faction largely concentrated within the mountainous northeast of Puntland, the place it is usually mentioned to compete with al-Shabab for affect.

In accordance with the US-based Africa Middle for Strategic Research, the battle between Somalia and armed teams was the third deadliest in Africa till 2024, killing an estimated 7,289 individuals.

Fox Information Digital has contacted AFRICOM for remark.