Drones Alone Can’t Win Somalia’s War on Terror

 Drones Alone Can’t Win Somalia’s War on Terror

In 2025, the United States has launched 51 airstrikes across Somalia—one of the most intense drone campaigns since 2019. Yet the situation on the ground tells a more complex story.

In the north, U.S. strikes have targeted Islamic State (ISIS) militants hiding in the Cal Miskaad mountains of Puntland. These attacks support Operation Hilaac, a multi-phase counterterrorism offensive by Puntland forces aimed at dismantling ISS strongholds near Bosaso. Phase IV of the operation is currently underway, focusing on flushing out remaining cells.

But while ISIS is under fire in the north, Al-Shabaab is advancing in central and southern Somalia. Within just two weeks, the group has recaptured three towns in Hirshabelle state—Moqokori, Gumare, and Tardo—forcing government troops and Ma’awisley militias to retreat.

The discrepancy highlights a key problem: airstrikes alone are not enough. Federal lawmakers have criticized the government for failing to deliver even basic logistical support—like water tankers—to frontline units. As Al-Shabaab surrounds key towns like Bulobarde and Jalalaqsi, local fighters say they feel abandoned.

Meanwhile, AFRICOM’s decision to withhold casualty numbers from recent airstrike announcements has raised concerns among Somali civil society groups. While the U.S. military insists it remains committed to transparency, human rights monitors say more consistent reporting is essential for accountability.

Somalia’s battle against terror requires more than just bombs from the sky. It demands coordination, supply chains, ground support, and a real commitment to those doing the fighting.