Al-Shabaab Terrorist Network: The Nature of this Enemy

In 2020, U.S. Africa Command has conducted 46 airstrikes to degrade the al-Shabaab terrorist network.



By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Aug 28, 2020
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 1 image

U.S. Africa Command continues to train Somali forces and support operations with precision airstrikes. In 2020, U.S. Africa Command has conducted 46 airstrikes to degrade the al-Shabaab terrorist network. 

Al-Shabaab is a dangerous enemy that presents a threat to Somalia, its neighbors, and the United States. This Al-Qaeda aligned terrorist organization increasingly employs lies, engages in criminal acts, and blends into communities to create fear and intimidate local populations. They have engaged in a series of violent acts with no regard for the Laws of Armed Conflict, to include previously attacking a hospital and deliberately seeking to place civilians in harm’s way using protected structures, such as mosques, for military and offensive fighting purposes.    

Al-Shabaab routinely attacks Somali citizens, military forces, and partners. Somali forces, the U.S., and international partners work toward preserving life while increasing security, stability, and ultimately, the long-term possibility of increased prosperity. Al-Shabaab relies on misinformation and lies, and the group continues to put out false information to include this week’s erroneous claim about the death of U.S. forces in an attack. 

U.S. Africa Command will continue to expose the nature of this enemy and who and what they represent—an empty future.

**Statement attributed to Col. Chris Karns, director of public affairs, U.S. Africa Command

More in Media Room
AFRICOM Commander Assesses East in First African Trip
U.S. Africa Command’s new commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, visited East Africa this week to meet with political and defense leaders and U.S. embassy country teams and to engage with U.S. servicemembers stationed there.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a two-week operation Aug. 23, 2025, that included multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Puntland region of Somalia.
Read more
AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa
From August 4-6, 2025, DTRA's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), in partnership with the EU CBRN CoE and UNICRI, hosted the AFRICA SHIELD 2025 Regional Counterproliferation Workshop in Rabat, Morocco. This inaugural workshop brought together nearly 100 participants from across the African continent, representing law enforcement, military, policy, and UNSCR-1540 national-level coordination.
Read more
More in Media Room
AFRICOM Commander Assesses East in First African Trip
U.S. Africa Command’s new commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, visited East Africa this week to meet with political and defense leaders and U.S. embassy country teams and to engage with U.S. servicemembers stationed there.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a two-week operation Aug. 23, 2025, that included multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Puntland region of Somalia.
Read more
AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa
From August 4-6, 2025, DTRA's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), in partnership with the EU CBRN CoE and UNICRI, hosted the AFRICA SHIELD 2025 Regional Counterproliferation Workshop in Rabat, Morocco. This inaugural workshop brought together nearly 100 participants from across the African continent, representing law enforcement, military, policy, and UNSCR-1540 national-level coordination.
Read more
More in Media Room
AFRICOM Commander Assesses East in First African Trip
U.S. Africa Command’s new commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, visited East Africa this week to meet with political and defense leaders and U.S. embassy country teams and to engage with U.S. servicemembers stationed there.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a two-week operation Aug. 23, 2025, that included multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Puntland region of Somalia.
Read more
AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa
From August 4-6, 2025, DTRA's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), in partnership with the EU CBRN CoE and UNICRI, hosted the AFRICA SHIELD 2025 Regional Counterproliferation Workshop in Rabat, Morocco. This inaugural workshop brought together nearly 100 participants from across the African continent, representing law enforcement, military, policy, and UNSCR-1540 national-level coordination.
Read more