US conducts more than 543 Airstrikes in Somalia since 2001

The United States has carried out more than 543 airstrikes in Somalia since 2001, according to a review of military operations conducted over the past 25 years.

The strikes have targeted Somali and foreign individuals, including suspected militants wanted by the US government, some of whom had rewards offered for information leading to their capture.

Human rights organisations have however also documented incidents in which civilians were affected by airstrikes in different parts of Somalia.

The number of airstrikes has varied across successive US administrations, with each president authorising a different number of military operations in the country.

Former President George W. Bush, who served from 2001 to 2009, authorised 11 airstrikes, while Barack Obama, who served from 2009 to 2017, authorised 48 strikes.

During his first term, from 2017 to 2021, Donald Trump authorised 219 airstrikes. His successor, Joe Biden, authorised 51 strikes during his presidency from 2021 to 2025.

Trump, who returned to office in 2025, has reportedly authorised another 214 airstrikes during his second term so far, placing him among the US presidents responsible for the highest number of strikes in Somalia.

The operations have targeted suspected members of Al-Shabaab and ISIS group in southern, central and northern Somalia as part of Washington’s ongoing counterterrorism campaign.

Human rights organisations have continued to raise concerns about civilian casualties resulting from some of the strikes, highlighting the need for accountability and the protection of civilians during military operations.

Mustaqbal