Ethiopian Air Force Launches Multiple Airstrikes On Al-Shabaab Targets In Somalia

Ethiopian forces have initiated substantial military operations targeting Al-Shabab following the group’s recent seizure of Balcad, a strategically significant town approximately 35 kilometers southeast of Mogadishu.

The Ethiopian Air Force conducted operations on March 4, 2025, in collaboration with the Somali National Army (SNA) in a bid to degrade the group’s operational capacity, according to official reports.

The operations also aim to halt the group’s advance towards the Somali capital.

Following the joint mission, the Chief of the Somali National Army, Brigadier general Ahmed Abdullahi, acknowledged the military intervention on social media. He stated that Ethiopian air support had strengthened counterterrorism efforts against Khawarij elements attempting to destabilize Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region.

“In a coordinated effort, the SNA Force, alongside local defense forces and with crucial support from AU partners, is decisively repelling these incursions,” his statement read. “The rapid and substantial reinforcement from Hiiraan and Galgadud has been instrumental in this operation, demonstrating a unified and robust response.”

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Somalia’s defense minister Abdulkadir Mohammed Nuur told local media the Ethiopian strikes, which involved missiles launched at al-Shabaab strongholds, were coordinated with the federal government of Somalia. “No airstrikes can take place in Somalia without the government’s knowledge.” Nonetheless, the minister did not disclose casualty figures.

Ethiopia’s airstrike on Al-Shabaab militants in central Somalia marked the first official air operation in the region in years. This followed Somalia’s authorization of Ethiopian forces to participate in the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Mogadishu had initially opposed Ethiopia’s participation in the AU peacekeeping mission due to Addis Ababa’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a self-declared independent state.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government had requested the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from AUSSOM.

However, the withdrawal request was later reversed following the signing of the Ankara Declaration, a trilateral security agreement between Somalia, Turkey, and Ethiopia.

The agreement paved the way for Ethiopia’s renewed counterterrorism support in Somalia.

Under the new mission, Ethiopia is permitted to deploy 2,500 troops as part of Somalia’s peacekeeping operations.

As evidenced by Al-Shabaab’s attempts to advance toward Mogadishu and the recent rocket attack during the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s visit to Somalia, the Somali government continues to struggle against the insurgency despite ongoing financial support from the international community.

During Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit, Aden Adde International Airport was a primary target.

On March 5, 2025, the US Embassy in Somalia issued a security alert, warning American citizens of “credible information” about potentially imminent terror attacks targeting multiple locations, including Mogadishu’s primary airport.

“The US Embassy in Somalia reminds US citizens that terrorists continue to plot kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in Somalia,” reads the embassy statement. “They may conduct attacks with little or no warning, targeting airports and seaports, checkpoints, government buildings, hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and other areas where large crowds gather and Westerners frequent, as well as government, military, and Western convoys.”

The embassy also instructed its personnel to refrain from movement within the capital until further notice.

Meanwhile, shortly after Donald Trump assumed the US presidency, its Air Force conducted an airstrike in early February against Islamic State targets in Somalia, stating that the targets were “Senior ISIS Attack Planner.”

The warning also indicated that potential attack methods could include car bombs, suicide bombers, individual attackers, and mortar fire. Additionally, the embassy advised US citizens in Somalia to remain vigilant.