Guelleh argued that American operations are too often based on flawed intelligence and conducted from afar, without sufficient coordination with governments that understand the terrain and clan dynamics.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh has delivered a rare and pointed rebuke of the United States’ air war in Somalia, warning that strikes carried out without proper regional consultation risk killing civilians and weakening the broader fight against jihadist groups.
In an interview with the pan-African magazine Jeune Afrique, the veteran leader criticised Washington’s heavy reliance on drone strikes against Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State affiliate in Somalia.
Guelleh argued that American operations are too often based on flawed intelligence and conducted from afar, without sufficient coordination with governments that understand the terrain and clan dynamics.
“The Americans do not understand that proceeding with strikes without consulting or informing the Somali government and neighbouring countries concerned, like Djibouti, is useless,” Guelleh said in excerpts from the interview.
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Guelleh voiced particular concern about civilian casualties, accusing US forces of firing missiles “practically blindly” without adequately accounting for collateral damage. His remarks challenge the public narrative advanced by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which consistently maintains that its operations are conducted in coordination with Somalia’s federal authorities.
AFRICOM’s 2025 operational log recorded more than 150 strikes across Somalia, reflecting a sustained tempo aimed at degrading Al-Shabaab’s capacity to stage attacks against Somali and US interests. Somali officials have frequently described such missions as joint operations, crediting them with eliminating senior militants and destroying weapons shipments.
Yet Guelleh’s comments suggest growing unease in parts of the region over the long-term impact of an air campaign that critics say risks alienating local communities.
The criticism is politically sensitive. Djibouti hosts Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent US military base in Africa and a crucial hub for operations across the Horn and the Red Sea corridor. The tiny but strategically located state is also a troop contributor to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which replaced ATMIS at the start of 2026.
At the same time, Djibouti has operated Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 armed drones since 2022. While it has reportedly used these systems in domestic security operations, it has not carried out cross-border drone strikes against Al-Shabaab inside Somalia.
Guelleh’s unusually direct tone signals Djibouti’s desire to assert a more independent regional voice, even as it remains deeply tied to Western security partnerships. As Somalia’s conflict evolves, his remarks underscore a broader question: can air power alone stabilise the country, or will lasting security require deeper regional coordination and political engagement on the ground?
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.
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