AFRICOM says Al-Shabaab mortar fire on Kismayo base caused no damage
Al-Shabaab militants fired several mortar shells, targeting US military assets in what it claimed was its retaliation for the war in Gaza, but no damage was caused.
A mortar attack targeted the new Kismayo airport in Somalia on Thursday evening, but authorities reported no casualties.
The Al-Shabaab militants fired several mortar shells, targeting US military assets, in what it claimed was its retaliation for the war in Gaza, but no damage was caused.
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"US and African partner forces took indirect fire near Kismayo, Somalia, today. No US injuries or casualties reported. No reports of damage to the base or Coalition property at this time," US Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated in a post on X.
A photo by Counter Terrorism and Security Intelligence showed minor damage to the runway.
The militants have suffered heavy losses this year due to intensified air strikes and counter-offensives targeting their leadership and assets inside Somalia.
In 2025 alone, AFRICOM, in collaboration with Somali Security Forces, has conducted 73 airstrikes against Al-Shabaab and ISIS fighters across the Golis mountains region, according to New America, a think tank that tracks the airstrikes using AFRICOM's data.
On August 23, the command announced the end of a two-week operation conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, targeting ISIS leadership's safe havens.
"These lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to ensuring Americans and our partners remain safe from the threat of global terrorism. I congratulate our military and civilian teammates, as well as our partners in Somalia, who worked on every aspect of this complex evolution. They set the standard for executing a well-planned, cross-combatant command operation against an organisation that wishes to export their terror to the US and our allies," said Gen Dagvin Anderson.
The operations against Al-Shabaab, however, continue. The latest strike took place on August 30, targeting Al-Shabaab militants in the Jubaland region of Somalia, about 40km northeast of Kismayo.
Last month, data from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) revealed counter-terrorism efforts in Somalia and Kenya have killed hundreds of militants and disrupted the group's capacity in the second quarter of 2025.
"The figures highlight the intensity of Somali forces and allied counter-offensives," IGAD stated.
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