US air strikes in Somalia increase civilian impact reports

US air operations against armed rebel groups in Somalia have intensified, leading to reports of significant civilian impact. Survivors in the Jubaland state, specifically around Jamaame, describe deaths, displacement, and lasting physical injuries resulting from military offensives involving US air strikes and Somali ground forces.

One survivor, Maryam Haji Abdi Guled, reported that her son was injured during a November 2025 offensive when shrapnel became embedded in his body. Medical professionals have advised that removing the metal fragment could result in paralysis.

Data regarding the frequency of these operations varies slightly between trackers. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) records list 84 strikes in Somalia through September 2026, while the New America Foundation has documented 88. While the US military has acknowledged conducting strikes in the region during November 2025, AFRICOM has disputed allegations of civilian casualties, stating that assessments of reports regarding deaths and property destruction did not meet their threshold for verification.