MOGADISHU, Somalia — United States and African Union officials met in Mogadishu on Tuesday to discuss security cooperation and efforts to combat militant groups in Somalia, as the United States intensifies airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) and al-Shabaab fighters.
The African Union envoy to Somalia, El-Hadji Ibrahima Diene, who also heads the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), hosted a US delegation led by General Dagvin Anderson, commander of US Africa Command, alongside US Ambassador Richard Riley. The talks focused on strengthening Somali security, countering terrorism, and enhancing regional stability.
The meeting comes as the US military carries out more airstrikes against IS militants in Somalia than al-Shabaab for the first time. Of the 70 strikes so far this year, 36 targeted IS, including nine operations in the Cal Miskaat mountains between 10 and 23 August. The remaining 34 strikes were aimed at al-Shabaab, conducted in collaboration with Somalia’s federal government.
“These lethal strikes demonstrate our resolve and commitment to ensuring Americans and our partners remain safe from the threat of global terrorism,” General Anderson said, marking his first visit to Mogadishu since taking command last month.
“I congratulate our military and civilian teammates, as well as our partners in Somalia, who worked every aspect of this complex evolution. They set the standard for executing a well-planned, cross-Combatant Command operation against an organization that wishes to export their terror to the US and our allies.”
During the discussions, General Anderson thanked AUSSOM leaders for their partnership in the fight against al-Shabaab. He stressed that while the US provides broad support, it is African troops who are “taking the fight to the enemy,” highlighting the importance of cooperation and burden-sharing among international partners.
AUSSOM Deputy Force Commander Maj. Gen. Pieter Muteti and Police Commissioner Hillary Sao Kanu also took part in the talks. AFRICOM said it will continue to assess the results of its operations but declined to release specific operational details for security reasons.
