U.S. Resumes Air Strikes in Somalia After Brief Pause, AFRICOM Says

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said American forces conducted strikes on five separate days over the past week, targeting locations in southern Somalia, including areas around the port city of Kismayo, where the Islamist militant group has long maintained a presence.

The operations mark the end of a month-long period during which no U.S. air strikes had been publicly reported in Somalia. The pause came despite 2026 emerging as one of AFRICOM’s most active years in the country in terms of both the frequency and scale of military operations targeting Al-Shabaab.

AFRICOM said the temporary reduction in reported strikes did not indicate a suspension of military activity.

In comments reported by Stars and Stripes, the command said its operations are based on verified intelligence and are designed to achieve specific military objectives while supporting broader counterterrorism efforts.

The command added that the renewed air campaign is intended to help Somali forces maintain pressure on Al-Shabaab as they continue operations against the group.

Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant organisation linked to Al-Qaeda, has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for more than a decade and continues to pose one of the country’s most persistent security challenges.

Washington has increased support for Somalia’s counterinsurgency campaign in recent years, with air strikes and intelligence cooperation remaining central to efforts aimed at weakening the group’s operational capabilities.