{"id":56319,"date":"2021-01-26T22:27:24","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T22:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:10:09","slug":"us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/","title":{"rendered":"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Airstrikes targeting terrorists in Somalia have continued at a rapid pace since troops were relocated from the country earlier this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AFRICOM has conducted three airstrikes against al-Shabab compounds and key leaders in Somalia since Jan. 15, an estimated 700 troops <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-army\/2020\/12\/21\/us-forces-pack-up-in-somalia-for-elsewhere-in-east-africa\/\" target=_blank>withdrew<\/a> from the country on orders from former President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The command has conducted a total of six airstrikes since the new year began, according to an AFRICOM spokesman as of Jan. 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAl-Shabaab remains a threat to the U.S. and a dangerous enemy,\u201d said Air Force Col. Chris Karns. \u201c\u2026While al-Shabaab is unable to attack the U.S. homeland today, their ambition to do so in the future remains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2020\/12\/10\/africom-conducts-50th-airstrike-in-somalia-amid-us-troop-relocation-in-africa\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635951877590296344-united-states-somajpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">AFRICOM conducts 50th airstrike in Somalia amid US troop relocation in Africa<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The strikes come days after the Pentagon unveiled plans to remove a \u201cmajority\u201d of the 700 U.S. troops currently in Somalia from the country and relocate them.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At current rates, 2021 is on course to surpass the number of airstrikes conducted in Somalia in previous years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AFRICOM conducted 52 airstrikes in 2020, 63 in 2019, 47 in 2018, and 35 in 2017, according to Karns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An airstrike destroyed an al-Shabab compound near Tiyeeglow, Somalia on Jan. 18, and two more strikes killed three al-Shabab operatives the following day near Jamaame and Deb Scinnele, according to AFRICOM press releases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese strikes targeted known al-Shabaab leaders involved in IED facilitation, fighter training, and attack planning,\u201d Air Force Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force-Quartz commander, said of the Jan. 19 strikes. \u201cStriking these leaders disrupts al-Shabaab\u2019s ability to attack our partners and indiscriminately kill innocent civilians with improvised explosive devices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JTF-Quartz was created in December 2020 to oversee the relocation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2020\/11\/29\/acting-us-defense-secretary-visits-troops-in-rare-visit-to-somalia\/\" target=_blank>U.S. troops in Somalia<\/a> to other bases in East Africa and promised to maintain pressure on al-Shabab while doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AFRICOM successfully <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2021\/01\/17\/us-military-says-troop-withdrawal-from-somalia-is-complete\/\" target=_blank>completed the relocation<\/a> just a few days prior to the Jan. 15 deadline set by President Trump, according to Karns.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2020\/12\/22\/navy-marines-bolster-maritime-presence-off-the-coast-of-somalia-amid-us-troop-relocation\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Imagery.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Navy, Marines bolster maritime presence off the coast of Somalia amid US troop relocation<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit \u2014 consisting of nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines \u2014 are now operating off the coast of Somalia.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When asked how relocations will affect future operations against al-Shabab, Karns stated that adjustments will occur to the way operations are conducted, but pressure on the terrorist organization\u2019s network will not let up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The more than 200 airstrikes conducted against al-Shabab to date have served to kill enemy fighters and key leaders, disrupt their ability to plan and carry out attacks, prevent movement and communications, and impacted their ability to create safe havens, Karns said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. airstrikes have also prevented the terrorist organization from conducting operations outside Somalia\u2019s borders, he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Al-Shabab is an affiliate of al-Qaida and the group\u2019s \u201clargest and most kinetically active branch,\u201d Karns told Military Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When conducting airstrikes, AFRICOM takes tremendous care to avoid collateral damage and civilian casualties, the spokesman said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AFRICOM currently assesses that five civilians have been killed and eight injured due to U.S. airstrikes in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2019\/10\/02\/us-reopens-embassy-in-somalia-nearly-3-decades-after-fleeing\/\" target=_blank>Somalia <\/a>since 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Officials are reviewing three more reports of civilian casualties to assess their accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2021\/01\/24\/us-africa-command-says-one-of-its-drones-apparently-an-armed-gray-eagle-malfunctioned-in-niger\/\" target=_blank>AFRICOM <\/a>has publicly released quarterly reports on civilian casualties as a result of U.S. airstrikes in Somalia since April 2020, but the command\u2019s first substantiated instance of civilian casualties dates back to April 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur kinetic operations in Africa follow a strict, disciplined, and precise process. Nobody is more devoted to the preservation of innocent life than the U.S. military, and our actions and processes reflect that fact,\u201d said Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of AFRICOM, when the command released its first civilian casualty report.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AFRICOM has completed six airstrikes in Somalia since 2021 began, three of which occurred since a majority of troops in Somalia were relocated earlier this month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":45514,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":8,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[101,8,12,25],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3311],"class_list":["post-56319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-flashpoints","category-news","category-newsletters"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"KHC7DOJWYNELROJW354J36JYMQ","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/your-military\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation - Marine Corps Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"AFRICOM has completed six airstrikes in Somalia since 2021 began, three of which occurred since a majority of troops in Somalia were relocated earlier this month.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"AFRICOM has completed six airstrikes in Somalia since 2021 began, three of which occurred since a majority of troops in Somalia were relocated earlier this month.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Marine Corps Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-01-26T22:27:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T12:10:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Harm Venhuizen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Harm Venhuizen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"headline\": \"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2021-01-26T22:27:24+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T12:10:09+00:00\",\n\t            \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"wordCount\": 534,\n\t            \"commentCount\": 0,\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/united-states-somalia.jpg\",\n\t            \"articleSection\": [\n\t                \"Daily News Roundup\",\n\t                \"Flashpoints\",\n\t                \"News\",\n\t                \"Newsletters\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t                    \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/#respond\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation - Marine Corps Times\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/#website\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/united-states-somalia.jpg\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2021-01-26T22:27:24+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T12:10:09+00:00\",\n\t            \"description\": \"AFRICOM has completed six airstrikes in Somalia since 2021 began, three of which occurred since a majority of troops in Somalia were relocated earlier this month.\",\n\t            \"breadcrumb\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/#breadcrumb\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/#primaryimage\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/united-states-somalia.jpg\",\n\t            \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/united-states-somalia.jpg\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/26\\\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\\\/#breadcrumb\",\n\t            \"itemListElement\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 1,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Home\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"home\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 2,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Flashpoints\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"flashpoints\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 3,\n\t                    \"name\": \"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation\"\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/#website\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Marine Corps Times\",\n\t            \"description\": \"Marine Corps - Independent News For Marines | Marine Corps Times\",\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t                        \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t                    },\n\t                    \"query-input\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"PropertyValueSpecification\",\n\t                        \"valueRequired\": true,\n\t                        \"valueName\": \"search_term_string\"\n\t                    }\n\t                }\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/#organization\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Marine Corps Times\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"logo\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/marine-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/marine-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"Marine Corps Times\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"\n\t            }\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\",\n\t            \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"migration\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/marinecorpstimes\\\/author\\\/migration\\\/\"\n\t        }\n\t    ]\n\t}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation - Marine Corps Times","description":"AFRICOM has completed six airstrikes in Somalia since 2021 began, three of which occurred since a majority of troops in Somalia were relocated earlier this month.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation","og_description":"AFRICOM has completed six airstrikes in Somalia since 2021 began, three of which occurred since a majority of troops in Somalia were relocated earlier this month.","og_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/","og_site_name":"Marine Corps Times","article_published_time":"2021-01-26T22:27:24+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-08T12:10:09+00:00","author":"Harm Venhuizen","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Harm Venhuizen","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/"},"author":{"name":"migration","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1"},"headline":"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation","datePublished":"2021-01-26T22:27:24+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T12:10:09+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/"},"wordCount":534,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/united-states-somalia.jpg","articleSection":["Daily News Roundup","Flashpoints","News","Newsletters"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/","name":"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation - Marine Corps Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/united-states-somalia.jpg","datePublished":"2021-01-26T22:27:24+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T12:10:09+00:00","description":"AFRICOM has completed six airstrikes in Somalia since 2021 began, three of which occurred since a majority of troops in Somalia were relocated earlier this month.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/united-states-somalia.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/united-states-somalia.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/01\/26\/us-airstrikes-in-somalia-continue-at-rapid-pace-even-after-force-relocation\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/","ad_zone":"home"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Flashpoints","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/","ad_zone":"flashpoints"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"US airstrikes in Somalia continue at rapid pace even after force relocation"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/#website","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/","name":"Marine Corps Times","description":"Marine Corps - Independent News For Marines | Marine Corps Times","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/#organization","name":"Marine Corps Times","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marine-logo-white.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/marine-logo-white.png","caption":"Marine Corps Times"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1","name":"migration","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"migration"},"url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/author\/migration\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/united-states-somalia.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Marine Corps Times","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56319"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90198,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56319\/revisions\/90198"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56319"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=56319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}