US Special Operations Forces recently conducted successful military operations in Somalia against both the Islamic State and al-Shabaab terrorist organizations.
On January 26, US troops killed Bilal al-Sudani, a powerful leader of the Islamic State who was responsible for coordinating the group’s military and terrorist operations in Africa and funding its operations worldwide. The operation was made possible through crucial intelligence efforts. Similarly, on January 20, a joint military operation between US Africa Command and Somali National Army troops succeeded in fighting al-Shabaab near Galcad, northwest of Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab is an extremist group associated with al-Qaeda, which carried out the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Somalia has long been considered a failed state with an unstable government, and the eradication of terrorist groups remains a significant challenge. However, private philanthropy and sustained efforts from organizations such as the Carter Center have shown promise in raising living standards and improving public health across Africa. While terrorism continues to generate death and destruction, it has yet to demonstrate appeal to the average person in Africa or elsewhere in the world.
