The United States has significantly intensified its air campaign in Somalia, carrying out 111 air strikes since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, according to the New America Foundation. The strikes target armed groups including al-Shabaab and ISIL affiliates, and already exceed the combined total launched under former presidents George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
The latest strike was conducted on December 14 by US Africa Command, about 50 kilometres northeast of Kismayo, targeting what the military described as al-Shabaab fighters. The escalation began in February, with US officials later confirming what they described as the largest air strike in history launched from an aircraft carrier, signalling a shift in operational approach.
US officials say the campaign is supporting Somalia’s federal government in its fight against armed groups, particularly in the south and northeast of the country. More than half of the strikes have backed operations by Puntland authorities against ISIL-Somalia, while others have supported Somali National Army efforts against al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency since 2007.
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The surge follows a directive by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth lifting restrictions that required White House approval for strikes outside war zones. However, the operations have raised concerns about civilian casualties, with reports of civilian deaths during recent strikes, while the US military has stopped issuing detailed civilian casualty assessments in its public statements.
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