Mogadishu (Somalia Today) – Al-Shabaab used its annual Eid al-Adha propaganda message to attack the United States and Turkey over their military, security and economic roles in Somalia, accusing both countries of backing the federal government and carrying out airstrikes against the militant group.
The message, delivered by the group’s official spokesman, Ali Mohamad Rage, accused Washington of intensifying its air campaign in Somalia and claimed that recent strikes had killed civilians. The claims could not be independently verified.
Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, frequently uses civilian casualty allegations and anti-foreign messaging to undermine Somalia’s federal government and its international security partners.
Rage also attacked Turkey, one of Somalia’s closest foreign allies, accusing Ankara of seeking to exploit Somalia’s natural resources and deepen its military influence in the country.
The remarks appeared aimed at Somalia’s expanding partnerships with both Washington and Ankara, which have played major roles in training, equipping and supporting Somali forces in the fight against al-Shabaab.
US strikes
The United States has increased airstrikes in Somalia as part of its long-running campaign against al-Shabaab and Islamic State-linked militants.
FDD’s Long War Journal, which tracks airstrikes in Somalia, said the US carried out 132 strikes in the country in 2025, including 54 that specifically targeted al-Shabaab.
It said the number of strikes against al-Shabaab alone was higher than the total number of airstrikes in Somalia during the Biden administration.
The publication said at least 64 US strikes had already been recorded in Somalia so far in 2026, with at least 31 targeting al-Shabaab.
US Africa Command says its operations are conducted in coordination with Somalia’s federal government and are intended to weaken militant groups’ ability to plan and carry out attacks.
In his Eid message, Rage accused the United States of targeting civilians near Kismayo in southern Somalia and Buq Aqable in central Somalia. He offered no independent evidence for the claims.
Al-Shabaab has repeatedly accused foreign forces of killing civilians while also carrying out attacks that have killed Somali civilians, officials, soldiers and African Union peacekeepers.
The militant group has used similar messaging for years to portray the Somali government as dependent on foreign military power and to frame US strikes as part of a wider campaign against Muslims.
Washington has described al-Shabaab as one of Al-Qaeda’s wealthiest and most dangerous affiliates.
The group still controls rural areas in southern and central Somalia and continues to carry out bombings, assassinations and complex attacks despite repeated military campaigns against it.
Turkey criticised
Rage also directed a major part of the speech at Turkey, accusing Ankara of using its relationship with Mogadishu to gain access to Somalia’s land, sea and air resources.
Turkey has become one of Somalia’s most important foreign partners over the past decade. It has built infrastructure, provided humanitarian and development assistance, trained Somali soldiers and police, and opened its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu in 2017.
The relationship deepened further in 2024, when Somalia and Turkey signed a defence and economic cooperation agreement focused in part on maritime security. The two countries also signed energy agreements linked to oil and gas exploration in Somali waters and onshore areas.
Somali officials have defended the agreements as part of a broader effort to protect the country’s coastline, strengthen state institutions and develop natural resources after decades of conflict.
Al-Shabaab has portrayed those agreements differently, using them to accuse the federal government of surrendering national assets to foreign powers.
Rage also accused Turkey of carrying out airstrikes in Somalia. Turkey rarely comments publicly on such operations, but Long War Journal says it has tracked at least 23 Turkish strikes in Somalia since 2022.
The publication said the actual number may be higher due to Ankara’s limited public disclosure.
Attack on Mogadishu
The speech also targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government, which al-Shabaab described as foreign-controlled and corrupt.
Rage accused Somali leaders of relying on international forces based at the Halane compound near Mogadishu’s airport, which hosts foreign embassies, United Nations offices, African Union officials and international security personnel.
Al-Shabaab often uses Halane in its propaganda as a symbol of foreign influence over Somalia’s political and security institutions.
The group also appeared to seek to capitalise on Somalia’s internal political tensions, including disputes between the federal government and several federal member states.
Mogadishu has faced strained relations with Jubaland and Puntland, while tensions in Southwest State have added to political uncertainty. Al-Shabaab has often exploited such divisions to present the federal government as weak and distracted.
Rage urged Somali government officials and security personnel to defect, using a familiar message intended to weaken morale within state institutions.
The speech reflected al-Shabaab’s broader propaganda strategy: attacking foreign partners, casting the federal government as externally controlled, and presenting the militant group as a defender of Somali and Muslim interests.
Somalia’s government, backed by African Union forces and international partners, has continued military operations against al-Shabaab, but the group remains resilient.
It still controls parts of the countryside, runs shadow courts and taxation systems, and retains the ability to carry out attacks in Mogadishu and other major towns.
