Tue Jun 24 14:32:03 UTC 2025: ## Trump Doubles Down on Drone Strikes in Somalia, Experts Warn of Backfire
**Mogadishu, Somalia** – Despite campaigning on ending “forever wars,” President Donald Trump’s second term has seen a dramatic surge in US air strikes in Somalia, raising concerns among experts who warn the strategy is counterproductive and ignores the need for long-term peacebuilding efforts.
Just days after his inauguration, Trump authorized strikes targeting ISIL (ISIS) leadership in Somalia. Since then, AFRICOM has conducted at least 43 air strikes in 2025 alone, more than double the rate of last year. Targets include both al-Shabab and IS-Somalia, with the latter reportedly seen as a growing hub for regional and global ISIL affiliates.
Analysts attribute the increased activity to both growing concerns about IS-Somalia and al-Shabab’s recent gains in Somalia, where they’ve reversed government territorial control and advanced on the capital, Mogadishu. However, experts argue that the reliance on drone strikes without addressing underlying issues is a flawed strategy.
“By loosening Obama-era restrictions, he enabled a surge in preemptive strikes with minimal vetting or accountability,” Jethro Norman of the Danish Institute for International Studies explained. “So, what you see now is a spike in drone activity, but without any corresponding investment in long-term peacebuilding or governance support.”
Critics point to the historical failures of US intervention in Somalia, dating back to the “Black Hawk Down” incident, and argue that the current approach fuels resentment and provides propaganda for groups like al-Shabab.
“These attacks kill civilians, destroy properties and livestock,” said Somali analyst Abukar Arman. “Ensuing grievances are utilised by armed groups that take advantage of these sentiments.”
Reports of civilian casualties from US strikes have further eroded US credibility and drawn accusations of “possible war crimes” from Amnesty International. The lack of accountability and compensation for victims has been widely condemned.
Experts emphasize that military solutions alone cannot defeat deeply entrenched armed groups. They advocate for a comprehensive approach that includes investing in local legitimacy, supporting grassroots reconciliation, and addressing the root causes of instability. Otherwise, they warn, the ongoing drone campaign will only exacerbate the problem and empower the very groups it aims to defeat.
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