Published On 21/10/2026
The United Arab Emirates has reportedly conducted a drone strike in northern Somalia targeting fighters from the militant group Al-Shabaab. According to security officials, this operation took place in the Galgala mountains on Tuesday and marks the first publicly acknowledged Emirati military action since November 2025.
The Context of the Attack
The UAE is among several nations actively involved in efforts to combat Al-Shabaab, though its relationships with the central government in Mogadishu have deteriorated due to its support for regional opposition parties, particularly in the breakaway region of Somaliland. Local officials informed the Agence France-Presse that Emirati drones performed reconnaissance missions on Monday and Tuesday after Al-Shabaab had targeted Puntland forces with an explosive device.
Details of the Operation
Launched from a military base in Bosaso, the Emirati drones aimed at four Al-Shabaab militants who were reportedly planting roadside bombs. The attack resulted in injuries to two of the militants, who were later killed by local paramilitary forces. Local sources anticipate that Puntland will announce a new offensive against Al-Shabaab in the coming days, highlighting the ongoing conflict in the region.
Puntland’s Unique Status
Puntland is a semi-autonomous state in Somalia, enjoying significant self-governance while remaining separate from the federal government in Mogadishu. It shares borders with Somaliland to the west, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, Ethiopia to the southwest, and Galmudug to the south. The region’s political landscape adds complexity to the fight against militant groups like Al-Shabaab.
The Ongoing War Against Al-Shabaab
So far, the federal government in Somalia has not commented on the recent drone strike, which comes amid escalating political tensions and some regions’ resistance to plans for national elections scheduled for next year. Questions also arise about the future of the international coalition combating Al-Shabaab, as the United States has announced it will cease funding a vital logistical operation for the United Nations in the region by the end of this year.
Despite the efforts of successive African Union missions to push Al-Shabaab out of Mogadishu and other key urban areas in Southern and Central Somalia, the group continues to maintain control over extensive rural territories. Al-Shabaab has evolved into a quasi-state, operating its own courts, taxation systems, and public services, successfully regaining much of the territory lost to the Somali National Army during its campaigns in 2022 and 2023.