US Discloses Number of Airstrikes Carried Out in Somalia in JanuaryThe United States has disclosed that it conducted at least 23
airstrikes inside Somalia during the month of January, according to a senior official from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The official said the strikes were part of ongoing military operations aimed at armed groups operating within the country.
After the information became public, AFRICOM announced two additional airstrikes later in the month.
One operation took place on January 29 and targeted al-Shabab militants in southern Somalia.
Another strike followed on January 30, aimed at ISIS-affiliated fighters in northeastern Puntland.
AFRICOM did not release detailed information about the targets or the outcome of the strikes.
The command has limited public reporting on civilian casualties and damage assessments since early last year,
citing the need to protect operational security.
The scale of airstrikes conducted in January alone marks one of the highest monthly levels of U.S. military activity in Somalia.
If the current pace continues, the total number of U.S. air operations in Somalia could reach nearly 300 by the end of 2026.In 2025, AFRICOM carried out at least 124 airstrikes in Somalia,
setting a new annual record for U.S. aerial operations in the country.Data from New America, an organization that monitors U.S. air warfare,
shows that the number of strikes in 2025 exceeded the combined total carried out during the administrations of Joe Biden,
Barack Obama, and George W. Bush. Despite this, the U.S. air campaign in Somalia has received limited attention in American domestic media.
Earlier in 2025, President Donald Trump authorized the first airstrike of his second term, targeting ISIS positions in the Calmiskaad mountain range in Puntland.
The area remains an active conflict zone, with Puntland security forces continuing operations backed by U.S. air support.
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