Somalia (AFRICOM Operations)
2007–Present (19 years) · Africa · Somalia
Ongoing US military operations against al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia. Over 200 airstrikes since 2007. Troops deployed, withdrawn by Trump in 2020, redeployed by Biden in 2022. Still active in 2026 with regular AFRICOM strikes.
$4.5B
Cost (2023 dollars)
8
US Deaths
150
Civilian Deaths
900
Troops Deployed
$649K
Cost Per Day
$562.5M
Cost Per US Death
18.8:1
Civilian:Military Death Ratio
Casualty Breakdown
Outcome
Ongoing
Al-Shabaab weakened but not defeated. US still conducting airstrikes in 2026. No end in sight.
Congressional Authorization: ❌ No
Conducted under 2001 AUMF — stretched to cover al-Shabaab despite no connection to 9/11.
Key Events
- ▸2007 — US airstrikes begin targeting al-Qaeda in Somalia
- ▸2011 — AFRICOM takes over operations
- ▸2017 — Trump dramatically escalates strikes — more in 2017-2020 than all prior years combined
- ▸2020 — Trump orders withdrawal of ~700 troops
- ▸2022 — Biden redeploys troops to Somalia
- ▸2026 — Multiple AFRICOM strikes continue against al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia
Objectives (Not Met / Partially Met)
- ❌Defeat al-Shabaab
- ❌Prevent terrorist safe haven
Perspective
The 2001 AUMF, written to target those responsible for 9/11, now justifies strikes in a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. This is exactly the kind of mission creep the founders warned about.