US Strikes ISIS in Somalia, Search Continues for Two Missing Service Members During African Lion Exercise in Morocco

AFRICA — U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia on May 4 in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces. The strike occurred in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, about 47 miles (75 kilometers) southeast of Bossaso.

According to AFRICOM, “The airstrike occurred in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, about 75km southeast of Bossaso. AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to threaten the U.S. Homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.”

Specific details about units and assets involved were not released to ensure continued operational security.

U.S. Service Members Still Missing, Incident Under Investigation

Two U.S. service members participating in Exercise African Lion 2026 were reported missing on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area close to Tan Tan, Morocco.

U.S., Moroccan, and partner assets from the exercise immediately initiated coordinated search-and-rescue operations involving ground, air, and maritime elements. The incident remains under investigation.

African Lion, U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, began on April 28 and runs through May 8 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.

Activities in Morocco involve approximately 5,000 personnel from more than 40 countries plus more than 30 U.S.-based industry partners conducting multinational training that includes live-fire exercises, special operations, air and maritime operations, and humanitarian civic assistance.

Recent U.S. Airstrikes in Somalia

• May 4: Airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Golis Mountains, about 75 km southeast of Bossaso.

• April 30: Airstrike targeting al-Shabaab about 50 km northeast of Kismayo.

• April 25 and 26: Airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Golis Mountains, about 75 km southeast of Bossaso.

• April 21: Airstrike targeting al-Shabaab in the vicinity of Wadajir, approximately 90 km southwest of Kismayo.

• April 20: Airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Golis Mountains, about 90 km southeast of Bossaso.

Strategic Assessment

The May 4 strike continues the pattern of repeated operations against ISIS-Somalia elements in the Golis Mountains over the prior two weeks while search-and-rescue efforts for the two missing service members during the ongoing exercise highlight the environmental risks inherent in large-scale multinational training in the region. No updates on recoveries or additional strikes have been released.

Official Statements

U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs issued statements on operations in Somalia and the search-and-rescue effort during Exercise African Lion 2026.

• U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs, May 5, 2026: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia on May 4, 2026. The airstrike occurred in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, about 75km southeast of Bossaso. AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to threaten the U.S. Homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad. Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.”

• U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs, May 3, 2026: “Two U.S. service members participating in African Lion 2026 were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, near the city of Tan Tan, Morocco, May 2, 2026. U.S., Moroccan and other assets from African Lion immediately initiated coordinated search and rescue operations, including ground, air, and maritime assets. The incident remains under investigation and the search is on-going. Our focus is on the service members involved and their families. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.”