U.S.-backed airstrikes and expanded ground operations have shifted momentum in Somalia's long-running war against al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, the government claims. Somali troops have retaken territory in Lower Shabelle, Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, and parts of Jubbaland that had been under militant control for years. State Minister Omar Ali Abdi reported that locations like Jilib Marka and Gendershe are now in military hands.

This offensive comes as African Union peacekeeping forces gradually withdraw, leaving Somalia to assume greater security responsibility. The United States has carried out airstrikes for over a decade, with President Biden approving the redeployment of U.S. forces in 2022 after President Trump had withdrawn most troops in 2020. AFRICOM conducts precision strikes targeting al-Shabab leaders, training sites, and weapons facilities.

Security analyst Abdullahi Ahmed Ali notes that expanded aerial surveillance and strike capability has altered what was previously a more evenly matched fight. Drones now provide early warning of militant movements near Mogadishu, where al-Shabab continues bombings despite tightened security. While Somali authorities claim thousands of al-Shabab fighters have been killed, experts warn that territorial control remains fluid, particularly in rural regions. The government faces the challenge of consolidating gains through governance and services as international peacekeeping forces scale back their role.