A US airstrike in southern Somalia that killed at least 12 civilians, including eight children, in November 2025 has raised renewed questions over the consequences of American military operations targeting armed groups in the country.

The strike took place in Jamaame, a town in Somalia’s Lower Juba region, on the morning of Nov. 15, according to accounts gathered from residents and reviewed evidence from the attack site. The United States has not publicly acknowledged civilian deaths from the operation.

Residents said the attack began shortly after 9 a.m. when aircraft were heard above the town. Witnesses described a series of explosions that struck residential areas and a religious school, leaving homes damaged or destroyed.The victims included children who had been returning from Qur’an school, families inside their homes, and a pregnant woman, according to relatives and witnesses.

The US military confirmed that it had conducted an operation against al-Shabaab, an armed group linked to al-Qaida that has carried out attacks in Somalia and neighbouring countries. The strike was part of a wider campaign of US air operations aimed at disrupting the group.Residents said the aircraft involved were likely drones.

The weaponry used in the attack was not publicly disclosed, but witnesses described repeated missile strikes consistent with the use of remotely piloted aircraft.At one home in Jamaame, relatives said the attack killed Safiyo Hassan Abukar, who was heavily pregnant, along with her children Abdifatah, 10, Abdinasir, 7, Hussein, 6, and Abdurahman, 4.Mohamed, the children’s grandfather, said he rushed to the scene after hearing explosions and found debris scattered around the destroyed house.

He said Abdifatah was often close to his mother and helped her with household tasks. He described Abdinasir as a child who regularly asked him to pray so he could memorise the Qur’an.Other residents reported similar losses.

Marian Haji Abdi Guled said her children were returning from Qur’an school when the attack occurred. She said the sound of aircraft overhead caused fear among residents before the strikes hit.According to Guled, her children were injured when missiles struck nearby.

She said the area became chaotic as residents attempted to move away from the attacks.Maryan Nur Buruji said her pregnant stepdaughter sought shelter at the Qur’an school with her two-year-old child. She said the school was later hit, killing the woman while the toddler survived.

Another resident, Mohamed Hassan Abdulle, said he returned to find his home destroyed and his wife, Farhiyo Hassan Nuur, and their 10-month-old daughter, Layla, dead.Farmers working outside the town also described receiving urgent calls from relatives as the attack unfolded.Gedow Ibrahim said he was working in his sesame fields when his wife called, warning him that drones were flying overhead.

He told her to remain inside, but later received another call saying their home had been hit.He said his daughters Maryan, 9, and Farhiyo, 7, were killed, while another child, Amin, 8, was injured by shrapnel.The attack also killed other residents, including a local imam, according to witnesses.

Residents said at least 15 explosions were heard and that numerous homes were damaged. Witnesses estimated that about 18 houses were destroyed, while the school was heavily damaged.The incident is among the deadliest reported civilian casualties from a US operation in Somalia in recent years.

Previous major incidents involving US forces in Somalia include the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, known as “Black Hawk Down,” which resulted in significant casualties during a failed US military mission.The strike occurred months after the start of the second Trump administration, during a period when US policy toward Somalia was being reassessed.

In early 2025, US defence officials held discussions with senior officers from US Africa Command, which oversees American military operations on the continent.A directive issued during that period changed procedures governing aspects of US military operations, according to reporting on the policy shift. The effect of those changes on individual operations was not publicly detailed.

US officials have repeatedly said American military action in Somalia is aimed at preventing attacks by al-Shabaab and reducing the group’s ability to operate. The group has controlled territory in parts of Somalia at various times and has carried out attacks against civilians, government forces, and international targets.

Human rights organisations have previously raised concerns about civilian harm from airstrikes in Somalia and other conflict zones, calling for greater transparency around targeting decisions and investigations into possible civilian casualties.The Jamaame strike has renewed scrutiny over the balance between counterterrorism operations and civilian protection in areas where armed groups operate among local populations.

For the families affected, the consequences remain centred on the loss of relatives who were inside homes, travelling from school, or working nearby when the strikes occurred.Abdullahi Mohamed Abo Sheikh Ali, whose family was killed, said he believed civilians had been caught in the attack.

“The Americans bombed us,” he said. “Children, women and elders were bombed. They spared nothing.”

Trump said the operation was conducted by the US Southern Command and coordinated with Venezuelan authorities. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the strike took place earlier in the week and confirmed Guerrero was killed.

Venezuela’s information ministry said the operation involved clashes with criminal groups and that Guerrero was neutralized, adding that the action involved intelligence-sharing and specialized technological support.

The Trump administration has previously sanctioned Guerrero and other Tren de Aragua leaders over alleged involvement in drug trafficking, human smuggling and money laundering. Washington has designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization.

Trump has accused the group of coordinating activities in the United States with Venezuela’s government, a claim his administration has cited in support of deportation measures targeting some migrants.

Tren de Aragua emerged from Venezuela’s Tocorón prison and expanded across parts of Latin America. Authorities have linked the group to crimes including extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking, money laundering and organized criminal activity.

Guerrero escaped from Tocorón prison in 2023 shortly before a police operation against the facility, according to authorities.

The updated designation was released weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where both leaders sought to maintain dialogue amid ongoing strategic and economic competition. Trump has subsequently invited Xi to visit Washington in September.

The Pentagon’s revised list identifies companies that the United States considers to be Chinese military companies or entities contributing to China’s military modernization efforts. Although inclusion on the list does not automatically trigger sanctions, it is often viewed as a precursor to potential restrictions on investment, procurement or other business activities.

The new version closely resembles a list briefly published and then withdrawn by the Pentagon in February without public explanation. Two memory-chip manufacturers that had been removed from the earlier version were reinstated in Monday’s update.

Those companies are ChangXin Memory Technologies and Yangtze Memory Technologies, both significant players in China’s semiconductor sector.

The revised list also includes several of China’s most prominent technology firms involved in artificial intelligence and digital services. Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent were among the companies identified, although Tencent had already appeared on previous versions of the designation.

Representative John Moolenaar, chairman of the U.S. House Select Committee on China, described the update as a warning to American businesses and government institutions. He urged U.S. companies to avoid commercial relationships that could contribute to China’s military capabilities.

The designations drew swift criticism from affected companies.

Baidu rejected the Pentagon’s assessment, stating that there was no factual basis for classifying the company as a military-linked entity. The company said it would pursue all available options to seek removal from the list.

Alibaba similarly disputed the designation, calling it an error and arguing that the company neither functions as a military enterprise nor participates in China’s military-civil fusion strategy. The company indicated that legal action remained under consideration.

In addition to major technology firms, the Pentagon added pharmaceutical company WuXi AppTec and robotics start-up Unitree, known for developing humanoid robots.

The updated list reflects Washington’s continuing scrutiny of Chinese firms operating in sectors viewed as strategically important, particularly semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The move comes as U.S.-China competition increasingly extends beyond trade into areas involving national security, technology leadership and military capability.

Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez said the office had been converted into a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), making it inaccessible to members of the media.

The move comes amid ongoing disputes between news organizations and the Trump administration over media access to the Defense Department. Several outlets have challenged Pentagon restrictions in court, including policies requiring journalists to be escorted while inside the building.

Media organizations argue the measures hinder independent reporting, while Pentagon officials say the restrictions are necessary to protect classified information.

According to the report, Washington has signaled openness to extending nuclear-sharing arrangements beyond the six European countries that currently host U.S. dual-capable aircraft, which can deliver nuclear weapons.

NATO members on the alliance’s eastern flank, including Poland and some Baltic states, are reportedly interested in hosting such facilities. However, the newspaper said no agreement appears imminent and discussions remain ongoing within NATO channels.

The White House, Pentagon and NATO had not commented on the report. The discussions come as the alliance continues to assess its deterrence posture amid heightened security concerns in Europe.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth said the United States possesses sufficient military capabilities and munitions stockpiles to restart operations if required, while emphasizing that the administration remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic settlement.

“Our ability to recommence if necessary ,we are more than capable,” Hegseth said, adding that US military inventories are adequately positioned both in the region and globally.The remarks come as negotiators from Washington and Tehran continue efforts to overcome key differences that have stalled a broader agreement aimed at extending an early-April ceasefire and establishing a permanent framework to end hostilities.

Hegseth said President Donald Trump remains committed to securing what he described as a strong agreement that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Trump said on Friday he would convene advisers in a secure White House facility to make a final decision on a proposal that would extend the current truce by an additional 60 days.

The conflict, launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, has resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, while disrupting global energy markets through the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

Despite the Middle East conflict, Hegseth rejected suggestions that Washington’s strategic focus had shifted away from the Indo-Pacific. He said the United States is expanding its defense-industrial capacity to increase weapons production and maintain readiness across multiple theaters simultaneously.

At the same forum, Hegseth urged Asian allies to increase defense spending in response to China’s growing military capabilities, describing Beijing’s military expansion as a source of concern for regional security.

He argued that a stronger network of capable regional partners is necessary to preserve the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and deter potential aggression. Hegseth warned that dominance by any single power would undermine regional stability and prosperity.

Echoing a longstanding position of the Trump administration, Hegseth said allies should assume greater responsibility for their own defense and reduce dependence on US military support.“The era of the United States subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is over,” he said, adding that strong alliances require all partners to contribute meaningfully to collective security.

Hegseth cited defense contributions from countries including South Korea, Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, while highlighting efforts by Japan to strengthen its military capabilities and deepen cooperation with Washington.

Speaking at a congressional hearing, Cao said foreign military sales to Taiwan had been put on hold while the Pentagon assessed weapons inventories needed for Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign targeting Iran. He said the United States had sufficient stocks but was taking steps to ensure military requirements were fully met before resuming transfers.

“Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury,” Cao said, adding that foreign military sales would continue once the administration determined it was appropriate.

The remarks mark the clearest public indication yet that the Iran conflict has affected the timing of U.S. weapons deliveries to Taiwan, which has sought to strengthen its defenses amid rising military pressure from China.

The U.S. State Department and the Pentagon did not immediately comment on Cao’s statement.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office pushed back against suggestions that approved sales were being altered. Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said on Friday that Taipei had received no indication Washington intended to revise the arms package.

The reported delay centers on approximately $14 billion in weapons purchases sought by Taiwan, though U.S. officials have not detailed which systems could be affected by the pause.

The development comes as questions persist over President Donald Trump’s approach to Taiwan. While the United States formally recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, U.S. law requires Washington to provide the self-governed island with defensive weapons.

China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has repeatedly opposed U.S. arms sales to the island. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday that Beijing’s opposition to such sales remained “consistent, clear and firm.”

Trump also signaled a potential shift in approach ahead of a recent visit to China, saying he would discuss Taiwan arms sales with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Previous U.S. administrations had maintained that decisions on arms transfers to Taiwan were a matter between Washington and Taipei and not subject to consultation with Beijing.

Following the trip, Trump said he had made no commitments to Xi regarding Taiwan and would decide on the proposed sales within a relatively short period.
The pause underscores the competing demands facing U.S. defense planners as Washington balances support for partners in the Indo-Pacific with military commitments stemming from the Iran conflict.

The nonpartisan budget office said in a report released Tuesday that the projection reflected “one illustrative approach rather than an estimate of a specific Administration proposal,” citing limited details from the Pentagon regarding the scale and design of the system.

Trump ordered development of the futuristic missile shield during his first week back in office through an executive order calling for a comprehensive defense network capable of countering advanced missile threats from rival powers.

“Over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex,” Trump said in the order, referring to evolving missile technologies developed by U.S. adversaries.

The proposed system is envisioned as a multilayered defense architecture combining ground-based and space-based technologies designed to detect, track and intercept missiles during multiple phases of flight.
The initiative draws comparisons to Iron Dome, Israel’s missile defense network that has played a central role in intercepting rockets and missiles during regional conflicts. However, analysts note the U.S. project would operate on a vastly larger geographic and technological scale.

According to the CBO report, uncertainty surrounding the number and type of systems to be deployed makes precise long-term cost forecasting difficult. Last year, the agency estimated that space-based elements alone could require up to $542 billion over 20 years.

Congress has already approved approximately $24 billion for the initiative through a broader Republican-backed tax and spending package enacted last summer.

Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, the U.S. Space Force officer overseeing the Golden Dome project, defended the program’s financial outlook during congressional testimony last month, arguing that outside estimates relied too heavily on legacy defense procurement models.

“That is not what Golden Dome is doing,” Guetlein told lawmakers. “We are laser focused on affordability.”
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, who requested the CBO assessment, criticized the scale of the projected expenditure, describing the missile shield initiative as a costly expansion of defense contracting.

The report is likely to intensify debate in Congress over military spending priorities as the administration pushes forward with one of the most ambitious missile defense proposals since the Cold War-era Strategic Defense Initiative.

United States Southern Command released video footage on social media showing what appeared to be a vessel at sea moments before an explosion engulfed it in flames.The military said it immediately alerted the United States Coast Guard to begin search-and-rescue operations for the surviving individual.The strike marked the latest in a series of U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea since September

. According to Associated Press reporting, the campaign has resulted in at least 193 deaths. The Pentagon has repeatedly said the targeted vessels were operating along known drug-smuggling routes and linked to trafficking networks, though officials have not publicly presented evidence showing that the destroyed boats were carrying narcotics.

The operation came days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump had approved a revised U.S. counterterrorism strategy prioritizing the dismantling of drug cartels across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Trump has described cartels as an “unacceptable threat” to hemispheric security and has urged regional governments to intensify military cooperation with Washington against organized crime and transnational gangs.

The strikes have intensified in recent weeks despite growing scrutiny from legal scholars and human rights groups, who have questioned the legality of using military force against suspected traffickers outside conventional armed conflict zones.

Critics have argued the operations risk constituting extrajudicial killings because the U.S. government has disclosed limited evidence about the identities of those targeted or the intelligence underpinning the attacks.

The campaign has also coincided with a major expansion of U.S. military activity in Latin America and Caribbean waters, where the administration says it is attempting to curb narcotics flows into the United States and disrupt cartel financing networks.

“The ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth told reporters during a briefing at the Pentagon, adding that U.S. forces would continue to defend maritime traffic while avoiding escalation. He said any determination of a ceasefire breach would rest with President Donald Trump.

The comments came as tensions mounted following reported exchanges of fire between U.S. and Iranian forces, underscoring the fragility of a truce reached after hostilities erupted earlier this year. The confrontation has centered on control and access to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for global energy shipments.

Trump on Monday announced the launch of “Project Freedom,” a military operation aimed at protecting commercial vessels transiting the waterway. Hegseth described the initiative as “defensive in nature, focused in scope and temporary in duration,” with the sole objective of shielding shipping from what he termed Iranian aggression.

“Iran does not control the strait,” Hegseth said, adding that U.S. forces would not need to enter Iranian territorial waters or airspace to carry out the mission. “We’re not looking for a fight.”Iran had effectively disrupted traffic through the strait after the conflict began on February 28, following the involvement of U.S. and Israeli forces, raising concerns over global supply chains and energy markets.

Hegseth cautioned Tehran to act prudently, reiterating Washington’s position that it seeks to prevent escalation while maintaining freedom of navigation through one of the world’s most strategically sensitive maritime corridors.