MOGADISHU, Somalia — The U.S. military has carried out more airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Somalia this year than al-Shabab.
Of the 70 U.S. airstrikes conducted in Somalia in 2025, 36 targeted IS fighters, compared to 34 strikes against al-Shabab positions.
Nine strikes against IS occurred between 10 and 23 August in the Al Miskad mountains, a major militant stronghold in northern Somalia.
U.S. Africa Command said the strikes were aimed at degrading Islamic State’s operational capabilities in the region.
“These lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve to keep Americans and partners safe from global terrorism,” said Gen. Dagvin Anderson, head of U.S. Africa Command.
Anderson is visiting Mogadishu for the first time since taking command last month, underscoring the U.S. military’s shifting focus in Somalia.
“I congratulate our military and Somali partners for executing a complex mission with professionalism and precision,” Anderson said in a written statement Tuesday.
He called the mission “a well-planned, cross-command operation” against a group that poses a direct threat to the U.S. and its allies.
AFRICOM said results of the operation are still being assessed. It did not release further details due to ongoing operational security concerns.
Al-Shabab, the largest al-Qaeda affiliate worldwide, remains a primary threat. The U.S. has conducted 34 strikes against the group so far this year.