Monday 4, August 2025 {HMC} U.S. forces conducted airstrikes near the town of Bariire in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on August 1, targeting Al-Shabaab fighters in support of a Somali-led military operation, according to a statement from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The operation was carried out “in support of a military operation led by the Federal Government of Somalia,” AFRICOM said in its release Friday. The command noted that the strikes occurred “in the vicinity of Bariire” and were intended to support Somali forces as they confront the al-Qaeda-linked group.
“AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al-Shabaab’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad,” the statement added.
AFRICOM did not disclose information about the specific units involved or the assets used in the operation, citing operational security concerns. No details were provided about casualties or damage resulting from the strike.
The airstrike follows renewed clashes in Lower Shabelle, where Al-Shabaab claimed to have killed 20 Ugandan soldiers serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and to have destroyed several military vehicles. Those claims could not be independently verified.
