U.S. Troops Withdraw from Somalia, Raising Questions Over Possible Policy change

MOGADISHU (SD) — U.S. forces have reportedly withdrawn from Baledogle Military Airfield, a strategically important installation in southern Somalia that has served for years as a major hub for American counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab.

According to a November 3 report by Stars and Stripes, all American troops recently departed from the airfield, located approximately 60 miles (96 kilometres) northwest of Mogadishu.

Baledogle has played a central role in U.S. military activities in Somalia, serving as a base for intelligence gathering and supporting the training of Somali security forces involved in the campaign against Al-Shabaab. The installation has also been an important location for cooperation between American personnel and Somali forces.

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) did not directly confirm or deny the reported departure when questioned about the development. An AFRICOM spokesperson said the command does not discuss details of ongoing operations for security reasons, adding that U.S. forces are periodically repositioned to optimise counterterrorism operations.

The number of American personnel involved in the reported withdrawal, their destination and whether the departure represents a permanent closure of the U.S. presence at Baledogle remain unclear.

The reported move comes less than two years after Washington announced infrastructure improvements intended to establish a long-term American presence at the airfield. In May 2025, the Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa announced plans for a new medical facility, accommodation and security upgrades, describing the projects as part of efforts to develop Baledogle into an enduring military location.

The base has previously been targeted by Al-Shabaab. In December 2019, militants launched a major assault beginning with a vehicle-borne bomb that damaged the installation’s perimeter. U.S. and Somali forces subsequently engaged the attackers in an hour-long firefight.

The latest development comes against the background of changes in American military policy towards Somalia. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump ordered approximately 700 U.S. troops withdrawn from the country. In May 2022, President Joe Biden reversed that decision, deploying hundreds of American personnel back to Somalia to restore a sustained military presence and strengthen support for Somali forces fighting Al-Shabaab.

The reported departure from Baledogle could represent a significant adjustment in Washington’s military posture in Somalia, particularly because the airfield has been an important centre for intelligence operations, training and counterterrorism coordination. However, AFRICOM’s statement about repositioning forces suggests that the development should not automatically be interpreted as an end to American military involvement in Somalia.

The most important unanswered question is whether U.S. support for Somali forces, particularly the Danab special forces, will continue from other locations or through alternative arrangements. A withdrawal of American personnel from Baledogle does not necessarily mean an end to U.S. airstrikes, intelligence-sharing or military assistance elsewhere in the country.

For the Federal Government of Somalia, any reduction in the American presence could create additional pressure on national security institutions as they seek to assume greater responsibility for operations against Al-Shabaab. The timing is particularly significant amid wider changes involving international military deployments and continuing security challenges.

If the withdrawal is permanent, Somali forces will need to demonstrate that they can maintain the airfield’s security and sustain counterterrorism operations without the same level of direct American presence. Until Washington provides further clarification, however, the scale and long-term implications of the reported move remain uncertain.