U.S. forces conducted four airstrikes against al-Shabab in Somalia between June 14 and June 19, the first strikes there since a May 6 action targeting ISIS’s Somalia branch. AFRICOM said the strikes hit southern areas near Lower Juba and Kismayo; local outlets reported ground operations and Hiraan cited 14 militants killed, attributing the result to the Danab unit. The strikes add to this year’s tally and come as the U.S. expands intelligence, cultural-adviser hires for JSOTF-SOM, and upgrades at Manda Bay Air Base in Kenya.
U.S. Conducts Four Airstrikes in Somalia After Monthlong Pause, Local Reports Say 14 Militants Killed
Soldiers assigned to Task Force Associator, East Africa Response Force sit inside an MV-22 Osprey prior to takeoff at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2025.
After more than a month without air operations in Somalia, U.S. forces resumed strikes this week, carrying out four attacks against al-Shabab between June 14 and June 19, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said.
AFRICOM’s near-identical statements noted the strikes targeted al-Shabab in southern Somalia — either in the Lower Juba region or near the port city of Kismayo — but gave few operational details. These were the first reported strikes in Somalia since a U.S. action on May 6 that targeted the Somalia branch of the Islamic State.
“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. Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.”
Local Reports and Casualty Claims
Local Somali outlets provided additional context. Garowe Online, citing Jubaland officials, reported that the operations included ground forces supported by airstrikes. Hiraan reported that 14 militants were killed and attributed those casualties to the U.S.-trained Danab special operations unit. AFRICOM has not confirmed casualty figures or force composition.
Broader Context
The recent actions mark a brief pause followed by a renewed cadence of air operations. AFRICOM reported 63 strikes in Somalia earlier this year prior to June; the four strikes between June 14–19 increase this year’s total and amount to more than half the 126 air operations recorded in 2025, when U.S. air activity in Somalia rose sharply.
The U.S. military is also bolstering non-kinetic capabilities in the region. Joint Special Operations Task Force–Somalia (JSOTF-SOM) is seeking cultural and political advisers to assist with translation and engagement with Somali government and tribal leaders, aiming to improve local understanding and cooperation. Separately, U.S. officials began a large-scale overhaul of the airfield at Manda Bay Air Base in Kenya earlier this year; Manda Bay serves as a regional staging hub for missions against al-Shabab and ISIS-affiliated groups.
Why It Matters
The renewed strikes underscore continued U.S. engagement against al-Shabab amid a broader regional campaign against violent extremist groups. Increased intelligence, civil‑military outreach and infrastructure upgrades signal a multi-faceted approach that combines striking capabilities with efforts to improve local partnerships and situational awareness.
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