Mogadishu, Somalia – April 17, 2025 – U.S. and Somali forces successfully targeted and destroyed two boats carrying advanced weaponry destined for the militant group Al-Shabaab, officials confirmed today.
The strike, conducted by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in coordination with Somalia’s federal government, took place in Somali territorial waters. According to an official press release, an unflagged cargo vessel and a smaller support boat were hit in a precision airstrike, eliminating all individuals on board. Initial assessments indicate no civilian casualties.
The targeted boats were reportedly transporting “modern military equipment” intended to bolster Al-Shabaab’s insurgency capabilities. While AFRICOM did not disclose the exact nature of the weapons, such shipments often include small arms, explosives, and other materials used in attacks against Somali security forces and African Union peacekeepers.
“This operation demonstrates our shared commitment to disrupting Al-Shabaab’s supply lines and enhancing regional security,” an AFRICOM spokesperson stated. Somali authorities praised the collaboration, calling it a “significant blow” to the militant group’s logistics network.
Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group, has long relied on smuggled arms to sustain its violent campaign in Somalia and neighboring countries. The destruction of these vessels marks the latest in a series of joint U.S.-Somali efforts to weaken the militants, following recent ground operations and drone strikes targeting their leadership.
The strike indicates growing international involvement in countering Al-Shabaab’s maritime smuggling routes, which often pass through the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Analysts suggest that increased naval patrols and intelligence-sharing have made such interdictions more frequent.
