AFRICOM Discloses Pair of Al-Shabaab Strikes, Pushing 2026 Total Past 80

US Africa Command publicly confirmed on September 8, 2026 that it had conducted two separate airstrikes against Al-Shabaab in the preceding days — one approximately 108 miles west of Mogadishu on September 4, and a second approximately 46 miles northwest of Kismayo on September 5 — bringing the confirmed 2026 US airstrike total in Somalia to at least 80. AFRICOM, as in prior releases, withheld details on units, assets, and casualties for operational security. Antiwar.com's independent tracking noted a separate, AFRICOM-unclaimed strike against ISIS-Somalia fighters was also reported around the same period, suggesting the true total may be higher. The pace keeps 2026 on track to approach or exceed 2025's record of roughly 124-126 strikes.