Somali-U.S. Strikes al-Shabaab as Middle East Hosts Largest Maritime Drills
Somalian Foreign Ministry: The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed two ISIS terrorists and no civilians were harmed.
AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST - The Somali National Army, supported by U.S. forces under AFRICOM, conducted operations and airstrikes against al-Shabaab near Bulo Burte in the Hiiraan region of Hirshabelle state, Somalia, according to the Somalian government.
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The Somalian Foreign Ministry said the mission was successful and disrupted the terrorist group's plans for a surprise attack.
The Somali Federal Government said that it is working with the U.S. and other international partners to intensify its efforts to combat al-Shabaab and ISIS as part of a broader strategy to eliminate terrorism, which threatens both Somali and global security.
The last strike reported by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) was on February 16th, 2025: AFRICOM, “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia in Northeast Somalia on Feb. 16, 2025.”
“The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed two ISIS terrorists and no civilians were harmed.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.
Degrading ISIS and other terrorist organizations' ability to plot and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our partners, and civilians remains central to U.S. Africa Command's mission."
International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025 In The Middle East
In the Middle East (Central Command Area of Responsibility), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) hosted the International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025 from February 9-20th, the largest multinational maritime exercise in the Middle East.
According to U.S. Central Command, involving 5,000 personnel from over 30 nations and international organizations, IMX 25 aimed to preserve rules-based international order and enhance regional maritime security cooperation.
Led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), the 12-day exercise included activities such as mine countermeasures, unmanned systems, AI integration, vessel defense, search and rescue, and mass casualty response.