Somalis Face Daily Threats Amid Ongoing Terrorism and Instability
MOGADISHU, Somalia — December 5, 2025 — Somalis continue to live under constant threat as extremist groups including al-Shabab, Islamic State, and al Qaeda maintain a strong presence in the country, officials said. The ongoing violence and instability have created a dangerous environment marked by armed roadblocks, extortion, and widespread lawlessness.
According to the U.S. State Department, al-Shabab generates over $150 million annually through extortion and taxation in Somalia. The group controls significant territory in southern and central regions, imposing harsh Islamic law and recruiting young men for jihad, experts said. Bill Roggio, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that al-Shabab’s control has expanded since 2019, when it held about 25% of the country.
Human Rights Watch reported that hundreds of people were killed in 2024 due to jihadist attacks and conflicts between clans or tribes. Civilians face daily dangers, including extortion at armed checkpoints manned by terrorists or government troops.
Despite the security challenges, life in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, shows signs of economic activity with markets, traffic, and street vendors continuing their operations. A local resident described the situation as varying widely depending on location, with Mogadishu being relatively safer compared to other parts of the country.
The Trump administration has significantly increased military efforts against terrorist groups in Somalia. U.S. Africa Command has conducted more than ten times the number of airstrikes in 2025 compared to the previous year. Recent operations include a joint U.S. and Somali attack on ISIS-Somalia militants in Puntland using drones and helicopters, and strikes against al-Shabab near Kismayo.
Somalia’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs states that over 99% of the population is Sunni Muslim, a factor that influences the country’s complex social and political dynamics.
Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Somalia’s security situation, describing it as a place where people are “walking around killing each other,” though he acknowledged he has not visited the country.
The Somalia National Army continues efforts to reclaim territory from militants, with recent advances reported in the lower-Shabelle region. However, the overall security situation remains precarious as extremist groups maintain significant influence across large areas of the country.
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