Ongoing U.S.-Somali Counter-terrorism Operations in East Africa
These actions, spanning Puntland, Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, and Mudug, aimed to disrupt extremist activities threatening Somalia, U.S. interests, and regional stability.
EAST AFRICA — Between May 9 and May 21, 2025, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia and Al-Shabaab, while Somali National Army (SNA) and regional forces executed ground operations against Al-Shabaab militants.
Notes: Apologies for the silence, we’ve been fine-tuning the analysis software and making great progress in improving its performance and capabilities. We’re still monitoring geopolitical developments.
These actions, spanning Puntland, Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, and Mudug, aimed to disrupt extremist activities threatening Somalia, U.S. interests, and regional stability. The operations resulted in significant militant casualties and weapons seizures, with some details unverified as of May 21, 2025, 23:59 UTC.
The Somali government’s use of “Khawaarij” to describe Al-Shabaab reflects its strategy to de-legitimize the group, often emphasizing operational successes in official statements.
Historical Context
Somalia’s conflict with extremist groups traces back to the 1991 civil war, which destabilized the nation and enabled militias to emerge. Al-Shabaab, formed in 2006 from the Islamic Courts Union and later aligned with al-Qaeda, has conducted attacks across the Horn of Africa, including bombings in Mogadishu and cross-border raids in Kenya.
ISIS-Somalia, splintering from Al-Shabaab in the mid-2010s, operates in Puntland’s Bari region, focusing on smaller-scale attacks and extortion.
U.S. military engagement, intensified after the 1993 Black Hawk Down incident, has been led by AFRICOM since 2007, involving airstrikes and training for Somali forces. This partnership has strengthened Somalia’s counter-terrorism capacity, though challenges persist due to fragmented governance.
Acronym Index
• AFRICOM: U.S. Africa Command
• ISIS-Somalia: Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - Somalia
• NISA: National Intelligence and Security Agency (Somalia)
• SNA: Somali National Army
• UTC: Coordinated Universal Time
Timeline of Key Operations
• May 9, 2025, 14:00 UTC: AFRICOM conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia 70 km southeast of Bosaso, Puntland, per AFRICOM Public Affairs.
• May 11, 2025, 09:00 UTC: Multiple AFRICOM airstrikes struck ISIS-Somalia 60 km south of Gandaala, Somalia, according to AFRICOM Public Affairs.
• May 12, 2025, 10:14 UTC: AFRICOM and Somali forces executed an airstrike on ISIS-Somalia 70 km east of Bosaso, supporting Puntland Security Forces, per Somalia’s Ministry of Information.
• May 13, 2025, 12:00 UTC: AFRICOM targeted Al-Shabaab north of Mogadishu, as reported by AFRICOM Public Affairs.
• May 17, 2025, 08:00 UTC: AFRICOM airstrikes hit Al-Shabaab 200 km north of Mogadishu near Mabaax, per AFRICOM Public Affairs.
• May 18, 2025, 09:20 UTC: A suicide explosion occurred at Damayo military camp, Mogadishu, resulting in one civilian death, per Somalia’s Ministry of Information.
• May 18–19, 2025, 00:00–23:59 UTC: SNA and Hiiraan forces killed over 70 Al-Shabaab militants at the Hiiraan-Middle Shabelle border, seizing weapons, per Somalia’s Ministry of Information.
• May 20, 2025, 15:00 UTC: NISA arrested Mudane Cabdullaahi Maxamed Cali in Hirshabelle using a helicopter, targeting Al-Shabaab leadership, per NISA.
• May 21, 2025, 20:00 UTC: NISA and SNA conducted an operation in Mudug, killing approximately three Al-Shabaab militants (estimated from “several”), per NISA. [CLARIFICATION: The term "Heshiis Isaaq" refers to a specific Al-Shabaab faction, treated as synonymous with Al-Shabaab militants in this report.]
• May 21, 2025, 22:00 UTC: NISA and SNA neutralized 46 Al-Shabaab militants in Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan, per NISA.