U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has confirmed conducting ten airstrikes in Somalia in 2025, as of March 5, following an inquiry from the American liberal think tank New America.
The confirmation ends a period of uncertainty surrounding the exact number of strikes, which had been missing from several AFRICOM press releases.
These airstrikes, carried out against both ISIS and al-Shabaab militants, span several weeks. The first strike occurred on February 1, targeting ISIS in Somalia. Although the operation involved multiple planes and munitions, AFRICOM classified it as a single strike, adhering to its standard practice of counting operations by individual targets rather than the number of munitions used.
A second strike against ISIS followed on February 16. On February 20, AFRICOM launched three distinct strikes against al-Shabaab, though the press release referred to them generically as “airstrikes,” leaving the exact number unclear. However, AFRICOM later clarified that three separate operations were carried out.
Further strikes against ISIS occurred on February 21 and 22, both of which were clearly classified as individual operations in AFRICOM’s tally. On February 25, one additional airstrike was launched against al-Shabaab, as confirmed in the official count. The most recent operations took place on March 1, when two separate strikes targeted al-Shabaab. Despite an initial press release referring to “airstrikes,” AFRICOM later confirmed that two distinct operations had taken place.
While these airstrikes illustrate AFRICOM’s ongoing commitment to combating terrorism, they occur amid an intensifying insurgency by al-Shabaab. The militant group continues to challenge the Somali government’s authority, seizing key towns and threatening stability across several regions.
On February 20, al-Shabaab launched its most aggressive offensive in months, targeting towns in the Middle Shabelle and Hiraan regions. The group briefly seized Bal’ad, just 30 kilometres from Mogadishu, forcing Somali forces to retreat. These towns were later recaptured, but the offensive exposed the weaknesses in Somalia’s security apparatus. Al-Shabaab’s ability to coordinate large-scale assaults across multiple fronts signals a growing threat to the country’s stability.
The recent wave of attacks demonstrates the ongoing challenges faced by the Somali government in securing its territory. Despite some success in recapturing territory from al-Shabaab during previous military campaigns, the Somali forces continue to struggle with resource constraints, insufficient reinforcements, and logistical hurdles. The Somali government relies heavily on irregular militias and external support to maintain security in volatile regions, but these forces remain overstretched.
Compounding these military and logistical challenges are significant financial constraints. On Wednesday, Somali Finance Minister Bihi Imaan Egeh disclosed that the U.S. had cut funding to the elite Danab special forces, a key counter-terrorism unit. The funding reduction adds to Somalia’s growing economic pressures, as the government must now contend with the dual challenge of securing military aid while addressing increasing humanitarian needs.
The Somali government has long relied on external support, including funding from the U.S. and international partners, to sustain its military operations. However, the abrupt withdrawal of these resources could undermine ongoing efforts to counter al-Shabaab and other extremist groups. Minister Egeh highlighted that this cutback, amounting to a significant loss in military funding, exacerbates Somalia’s economic fragility, which is already strained by internal conflicts and global financial challenges.
Somalia’s financial difficulties are further compounded by a reduction in foreign aid. The Somali government is now under immense pressure to find alternative sources of funding and optimize its use of available resources.
Despite these setbacks, international support, including AFRICOM’s airstrikes, remains a key component of the Somali government’s counter-insurgency strategy. While airstrikes have disrupted militant operations, ground forces remain overstretched, and the Somali government will need to address its security, financial, and logistical challenges to ensure the continued defence of key regions.
