Rising ISIS threats to US homeland drive AFRICOM airstrikes against terrorists in Somalia

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) is increasing airstrikes and military missions against ISIS and al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorists in Somalia due to rising threats to the U.S. homeland. According to Lt. Gen. John Brennan, these groups, particularly ISIS, are plotting attacks against the U.S. and Europe, recruiting individuals online and maintaining resource cells capable of larger-scale attacks. In 2025, AFRICOM conducted 124 airstrikes in Somalia, a significant increase compared to 2024, and has already carried out 26 attacks in the first month of 2026. The focus of Islamist terror has shifted to Africa, with the leader of the global ISIS network, Abdulqadir Mumin, operating from Somalia. The U.S. aims to prevent Somalia from becoming a terrorist safe haven by disrupting terrorist planning and operations.