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U.S. President Donald Trump’s expanded drone campaign in Somalia is drawing strong criticism at home and abroad. Many observers say the strikes are harming civilians, undermining peace efforts, and fueling the same insurgencies they’re meant to defeat.
Since Trump returned to office in January 2025, the U.S. has carried out at least 51 airstrikes in Somalia. That’s more than double last year’s total, putting this year on track to surpass the 2019 record of 63 strikes—also set during Trump’s earlier presidency. These figures come from the New America think tank and AFRICOM (U.S. Africa Command).
While Somalia’s federal government supports the U.S. strikes in its fight against al-Shabaab and Islamic State-Somalia (IS-Somalia), rights groups and local communities warn the operations are killing innocent people, stirring resentment, and failing to stop militant advances.
Just 10 days into his second term, President Trump approved his first Somalia strike. Since then, about 30 of the 51 airstrikes have targeted IS-Somalia positions in the Cal Miskaad mountains of Puntland, as part of Operation Hilaac, a joint offensive with local forces. The remaining strikes have focused on al-Shabaab in the Hiiraan and Jubaland regions.
Despite the increased airpower, al-Shabaab has recaptured several towns—including Moqokori, Gumare, and Tardo—in Hirshabelle state. Somali troops and allied Ma’awisleey militias were forced to retreat due to limited supplies. Militants are now threatening key towns like Bulobarde and Jalalaqsi, with roads into these areas becoming more dangerous.
AFRICOM has also stopped releasing detailed information about casualties in each strike. While it has promised quarterly civilian harm reports, watchdog groups say the lack of immediate data damages transparency and trust.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have previously accused the U.S. of possible war crimes in Somalia during Trump’s earlier term. Though AFRICOM has admitted to some civilian harm, victims and families have never received compensation, according to Victims Advocacy International.
“The U.S. admits civilians have been harmed, and funds have been set aside, but victims still haven’t received support,” said Eva Buzo, the group’s director. “This ongoing failure to deliver justice is alarming.”
Estimates from New America and Airwars suggest that between 33 and 167 Somali civilians have died in U.S. strikes since 2007. The real number may be higher, as many strikes happen in remote, clan-controlled areas that are hard to access for independent verification.
Experts say U.S. drone strikes rely heavily on imperfect intelligence and remote targeting, which can lead to deadly errors—especially when militants blend in with civilians. “These strikes often play into the hands of groups like al-Shabaab,” said Jethro Norman of the Danish Institute for International Studies. “When civilians are killed or displaced, militants use it as propaganda to recruit and claim they’re protecting the people.”
In April, the U.S. conducted a rare maritime airstrike, destroying a boat off the Somali coast believed to be smuggling weapons from Yemen’s Houthi rebels to al-Shabaab. The Pentagon approved the strike under updated rules following the deaths of two U.S. Navy SEALs earlier this year during a similar operation.
President Trump has also loosened previous restrictions on military strikes, allowing for more aggressive action with less oversight. Experts say this has increased the number of strikes—but reduced accountability.
Meanwhile, Somali government forces remain overstretched and underfunded. In March, Somalia’s finance minister revealed that the U.S. cut funding to Danab, an elite U.S.-trained Somali unit. With fewer resources, Somalia is struggling to maintain security and respond to threats.
While President Trump’s drone campaign has delivered some short-term tactical wins, analysts agree that Somalia’s long-term peace won’t come from airstrikes alone. Without investment in governance, reconciliation, and local development, the situation may worsen.
“The gap between what the U.S. promises and what Somalis experience is where al-Shabaab thrives,” said Norman. “If President Trump continues using airstrikes without building real local trust, the crisis will only deepen.”