Thursday April 24, 2025
FILE – A U.S. Navy boarding team approaches a stateless dhow during a maritime security operation in the Gulf of Aden. Such vessels are often used for smuggling weapons and contraband across the region’s coastal routes. (USN file image)
Mogadishu (HOL) — U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike last week targeting a stateless vessel off Somalia’s coast that was allegedly transporting advanced weapons to the militant group Al-Shabaab, marking a rare use of airpower against maritime smuggling in the region.
According to Somali government officials and U.S. defence sources, the strike destroyed both the primary vessel and a smaller support boat operating in Somali territorial waters. In a statement released following the operation, the Somali government said all individuals aboard the vessels were “neutralized.” AFRICOM indicated that no civilian casualties were reported.
The targeted vessel was believed to be carrying “advanced conventional weapons” intended for Al-Shabaab, a U.S.-designated terrorist group affiliated with al-Qaida. The strike reflects growing concern among Western intelligence agencies about the group’s evolving arms supply network, which may include ties to Yemen’s Houthi movement.
A U.S. official speaking to The War Zone said the decision to launch the strike was made under updated Pentagon engagement protocols that allow for rapid response to threats. “They had to do things quickly. They didn’t have time to pull in boats [for boarding],” the official said.
Traditionally, maritime smuggling in the region has been countered through boarding and seizure operations, often involving U.S. Navy destroyers or coalition vessels. Direct aerial strikes on seaborne targets are exceedingly rare and signal the Pentagon’s expanding reliance on long-range strike capabilities amid constrained naval resources.
The strategic shift follows an incident in January 2024, when two U.S. Navy SEALs—Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram—were lost during a nighttime boarding operation off the coast of Somalia. The SEALs were attempting to intercept an unflagged dhow suspected of transporting Iranian-made missile components to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Chambers fell into the sea amid rough conditions during the operation, and Ingram entered the water to rescue him. Both were declared deceased after an extensive 10-day search failed to recover them. Two Iranian brothers were later indicted by U.S. federal prosecutors for their role in the alleged smuggling operation that led to the death of the Navy SEALS.
The strike follows escalating violence in Somalia. Al-Shabaab has intensified its attacks near Mogadishu in recent weeks, prompting increased foreign military support for the Somali government. Earlier this week, Turkey deployed 500 troops to the capital to assist in counterinsurgency operations. Meanwhile, AFRICOM has stepped up airstrikes on Al-Shabaab positions in central and southern Somalia.
The decision reflects growing concern within the Pentagon about the evolving logistics networks supporting Al-Shabaab. U.S. intelligence assessments increasingly point to a shared supply corridor with Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has demonstrated maritime strike capabilities and has a history of smuggling across the Gulf of Aden.
