U.S. Africa Command and Somali Forces Launch Airstrikes Eliminating Dozens of al-Shabaab Militants in Jilib

HORN OF AFRICA - U.S. Africa Command conducted airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab near Jilib between January 3 and 4, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, while Somali National Armed Forces executed complementary ground operations across multiple regions that neutralized dozens of militants in early January.

The operations in Jilib occurred approximately 62 miles (100 kilometers) north of Kismayo, with no civilian casualties reported, as this action specifically aimed to degrade al-Shabaab's threat capabilities through precise targeting. Somali forces, including the Danab Special Forces, carried out a special operation in Jilib District on January 4, eliminating 15 al-Shabaab militants and capturing eight others.

In addition, Somali Armed Forces coordinated with international partners to conduct precision airstrikes in Jabad Godane within Middle Shabelle region on January 1, resulting in the elimination of 29 al-Shabaab militants along with the destruction of vehicles and weapons that had been intended for terrorist attacks against civilians, thereby significantly degrading the group's operational and logistical strengths.

U.S. Africa Command also executed airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia in the Golis Mountains from January 1 to 3, approximately 43 miles (70 kilometers) southeast of Bossaso, where assessments confirmed no civilian harm and operational details remained classified to protect ongoing security measures.

Meanwhile, Somali National Army and local forces repelled an al-Shabaab attack in the Wargaadhi area of Middle Shabelle region on January 2, killing the ringleader who led the assault and inflicting heavy losses on accompanying militants, including fatalities, before pursuing the fleeing elements to neutralize any remaining threats in the process.

Furthermore, Somali National Armed Forces launched a planned security operation on January 6 in Ceel Cilaan, 19 miles (30 kilometers) east of Baardheere within Gedo region, neutralizing five al-Shabaab militants and destroying their positions as part of ongoing efforts to address elements that had been subjecting local communities to persistent intimidation and abuse.

Earlier, U.S. Africa Command carried out airstrikes against al-Shabaab on December 29, 2025, near Shabeellaha Dhexe, 40 miles (64 kilometers) northeast of Mogadishu, with no civilian casualties occurring and details remaining classified.

Overall, these coordinated operations from late December 2025 through January 6, 2026, spanned southern and central Somalia, leading to over 60 militants being neutralized or captured through a combination of ground raids and airstrikes that disrupted militant positions in strategically key areas such as Gedo, Jilib, Middle Shabelle, and Jabad Godane.