US AFRICOM conducts airstrike against Al-Shabaab in Somalia near Sablaale

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Tuesday it carried out a new airstrike against Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia, underscoring Washington’s escalating military campaign against the Islamist militant group in the Horn of Africa.

According to AFRICOM, the strike was conducted on July 13, 2026, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, targeting Al-Shabaab in the vicinity of Sablaale, about 190 kilometres southwest of Mogadishu.

“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab on July 13, 2026. The airstrike occurred in the vicinity of Sablaale, approximately 190km southwest of Mogadishu,” AFRICOM said in a statement.

The U.S. military said the operation forms part of its ongoing partnership with Somalia’s security forces to reduce Al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities.

“AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al-Shabaab’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and our citizens abroad.”

AFRICOM said it would not disclose additional operational information, citing security considerations.

“Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.”

The latest strike follows multiple U.S. airstrikes in Somalia in recent weeks targeting towns under Al-Shabaab control across southern Somalia, reflecting an intensification of Washington’s air campaign against the insurgent group.

Some reports have suggested that those strikes resulted in civilian casualties and caused significant damage to civilian residential areas, particularly in the towns of Farsoley and Kuntuwarey. However, key details surrounding those reported incidents have not been independently confirmed because journalists are not permitted access to the affected areas by Al-Shabaab, which controls much of the Lower Shabelle region as well as parts of southern and central Somalia.

The United States has continued to conduct air operations in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia as Somali authorities and international partners seek to weaken Al-Shabaab’s operational capacity and counter the group’s insurgency across Somalia.

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