U.S. President Trump hinted to senior military officials that the United States should shift focus from counterterrorism operations in Somalia and Kenya to combating what he called an “invasion from within” at home, casting doubt on the long-running U.S. fight against al-Shabaab even as U.S. forces continue operations (Hiiraan)
U.S. Airstrike in Bossaso
U.S. Africa Command said it carried out an airstrike on September 26 in coordination with Somalia’s government, targeting ISIS-Somalia fighters in the Golis Mountains about sixty kilometers southeast of Bossaso (AFRICOM)
UK Pledges Millions for Somali Security
The United Kingdom has committed to investing over $30 million to support African Union stabilization efforts, counterterrorism, and the handover of security responsibilities to Somali forces, in addition to UN humanitarian efforts; Development Minister Baroness Chapman said the aid demonstrates Britain’s long-term commitment to Somali and regional stability (UKG)
African Union Leader Urges Funding for Somalia Operations
At the United Nations, African Union (AU) Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf suggested a failure to fund the AU Support and Stabilization Mission would undermine recent progress and allow al-Shabaab to regain ground; Youssouf called for a $196 million investment in 2025, but donors remain split over how to finance African-led operations (Hiiraan)
Somali Intelligence Raids Kill al-Shabaab Leaders
Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency launched raids in Galgaduud, Hiiraan, and Lower Shabelle, killing several senior al-Shabaab commanders and dozens of rank-and-file militants while disrupting planned attacks; officials called the strikes a major blow to the group (Hiiraan)
Senior U.S. Military Officials Meet Somaliland President
Senior U.S. military officials from Africa Command met President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro in Hargeisa to discuss expanding security cooperation; the visit came as the House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced a bipartisan bill urging greater U.S. engagement with Somaliland (Hiiraan)
Somali and Chinese Defense Ministers Hold First Talks in Decades
Defense Minister Ahmed Moallin Fiqi met Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun in Beijing during the Xiangshan Forum, the first such high-level meeting in nearly forty years; the two officials pledged deeper cooperation on counterterrorism, regional security, and strengthening Somalia’s national army (Hiiraan)
United States Conducts New Airstrike on al-Shabaab
U.S. Africa Command said it carried out an airstrike near Ceel Dheer in coordination with Somalia’s government; this followed an earlier strike on September 9 (AFRICOM)
U.S. and Partner Forces Respond to Indirect Fire Near Kismayo
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said its forces and Somali partners came under indirect fire near Kismayo on September 4, with no casualties or damage reported; AFRICOM reaffirmed its cooperation with Somali forces to counter al-Shabaab (AFRICOM)
Somali Intelligence Agency Kills Eleven al-Shabaab Fighters in Central Somalia
Backed by international partners, Somali intelligence forces killed eleven al-Shabaab militants in operations across Galgaduud, Hiiraan, and Middle Shabelle; senior leader Abdullahi Ganeey was among those killed (Hiiraan)
Somali Defense Leaders, AU Mission Chief Vow Stronger Fight Against al-Shabaab
Somalia’s defense minister, army chief, and the new head of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission pledged to intensify operations against al-Shabaab and accelerate Somalia’s security transition after meeting in Mogadishu (Hiiraan)
Egypt Joins AU Peacekeeping Force in Somalia
Egypt formally joined the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, deepening ties with Mogadishu as it counters al-Shabaab (AFP)
Somalian Leaders Fail to Agree on Election Format, Spurring Political Uncertainty
Somalia is facing growing uncertainty as the current administration led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose term is nearing its end, has failed to reach an agreement with opposition figures on how upcoming elections should be conducted; this stalemate has deepened worries over elections delays, mounting political tensions, and a security crisis in a country still battling al-Shaabab (Garowe Online)
Somaliland Offers United States Military Base and Mineral Access
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro of Somaliland, a breakaway Somali territory that is not internationally recognized, announced that his administration would welcome the establishment of a U.S. military base in the port city of Berbera and offered the United States access to lithium in exchange for the long-term goal of achieving international recognition (Hiiraan)
Al-Shabaab Takes Control of Mahaas
Mahaas, a key government outpost in the Hiraan region, was overtaken by al-Shabaab militants after federal and local forces withdrew from the town; the loss of Mahaas, a town under government control for over ten years and a forward operating base in offensives targeting al-Shabaab in Hiraan and Galgaduud, may affect Somali security forces’ operational coordination (AP)
Al-Shabaab Claims Responsibility for Explosion at Military Training School in Mogadishu
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a suicide attack at Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy, which targeted a Western delegation that was training recruits; an eyewitness reported that the bomber was intercepted before he could reach his target, resulting in minimal casualties (ABC)
Somali Army Kills Al-Shabaab Senior Leader
A senior al-Shabaab leader, described as the head of mines in Lower Shabelle, was killed along with eight of his guards in a targeted operation in Bariire; the mission also destroyed hideouts, bases, and bunkers used for planning attacks and making explosives against Somali civilians and security forces (Hiiraan)
Thirty-Seven Al-Shabaab Fighters Dead After Somali Special Forces Target Group
The Danab Special Forces of the Somali National Army conducted operations in Jubaland, targeting Bulo Haji town in Kismayo, the region’s administrative capital; at least thirty-seven militants allegedly linked to al-Shabaab were killed and several others injured in the attack (Garowe Online)
Somali National Army Drives Al-Shabaab Militants Out of Two Strategic Towns
In Masajid Ali Gudud and Geelgub, the Somali National Army and local allied militias launched ‘Operation Silent Storm’, ultimately driving al-Shabaab militants out of both areas; the towns are in the Middle Shabelle region and function as strategic centers for al-Shabaab recruitment and attacks (Radio Dalsan)
Somali National Army Destroys Suspected Al-Shabaab Weapons Store
In Adan Yabaal in Middle Shabelle, the Somali National Army (SNA) launched an attack at two al-Shabaab facilities that were used for weapons storage and vehicle-borne explosive preparation; Adan Yabaal was taken over by al-Shabaab months ago, but current SNA efforts are intensifying to regain control over the area (Garowe Online)
Meanwhile, al-Shabaab carried out a surprise attack on a military base in Baay Burjeed; heavy fighting ensued, resulting in multiple deaths on both sides (Garowe Online;The Horn Observer)
Seven Soldiers Killed in Operation to Regain Town From Al-Shabaab
In Sabiid-Anole, soldiers from the Somali National Army (SNA), the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) launched a three-day joint attack on al-Shabaab militants in the town; seven UPDF soldiers and thirty al-Shabaab militants were killed, and the SNA regained control of the area (Garowe Online)
Al-Shabaab Releases Footage Claiming Seizure of U.S.-Trained Somali Special Forces Base
Al-Shabaab fighters released a video claiming they overran a military base manned by U.S.-trained Danab Special Forces in Wargaadhi town, Middle Shabelle, in late April; in the footage, a speaker mocks the Somali National Army as a “tribal militia” profiting from Western aid and questions their commitment to defending the country (Garowe Online)
Meanwhile, twelve al-Shabaab fighters—reportedly including senior leaders—were killed after Somali security forces, assisted by international partners, carried out a targeted operation in the Adan Yabaal district, a known stronghold of terrorist activity (Garowe Online)
Ex-Combatants of Rebel Group Convicted of War Crimes
Six defendants were found guilty of crimes against humanity, including murder, attempted murder, war crimes, and inhuman acts and persecution, and were sentenced to between eighteen and twenty-five years of incarceration for the 2020 pillage and attack of Ndélé, a town in the northeast region of CAR (Amnesty International)
U.S. Africa Command Conducts Airstrike on Al-Shabaab
Near Sabiid, Somalia, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), with the Federal Government of Somalia, fired strikes at al-Shabaab targets; casualties were unconfirmed (AFRICOM)
Somali National Army Kill Senior Al-Shabaab Commander
In southern Somalia, the Somali National Army confirmed the death of Abaas Mohamed Hool, a senior Al-Shabaab commander who was implicated in various attacks in Mogadishu and has been sought for arrest since 2007 (Garowe Online)
Meanwhile, the Somali government has been removed from a list of countries that are well-known for the recruitment of child soldiers; the decision made by the UN comes after years of cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and international institutions such as UNICEF and the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (Garowe Online)