Snapshot
Since State collapse in 1991, Somalia has experienced protracted violence, with Islamist armed groups seizing key areas in the mid-2000s and prompting regional and international interventions. A federal government recognized in 2012 continues to confront Al-Shabaab in a long-running non-international armed conflict (NIAC), and, since late 2024, also a NIAC with Islamic State in Somalia (ISS). ISS has used drones on a limited scale, while its clashes with Al Shabaab remain below the threshold of a separate NIAC. Somalia’s forces are supported by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which replaced the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), as well as by the United States (US), Ethiopia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A separate confrontation in the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions between Somaliland and Dhulbahante militias has subsided but sporadic clashes continue after Somaliland’s withdrawal and following SSC Khaatumo’s recognition as a federal member state.
Classifications and Parties to the Conflicts
- Non-International Armed Conflict between Somalia (and support forces) and Al-Shabaab
- Non-International Armed Conflict between Somalia (and support forces) and Islamic State in Somalia (ISS)
In Somalia, civilian harm declined in 2026 but remained pervasive. Al-Shabaab killed and injured civilians through suicide bombings, other improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and its military operations, and both Al-Shabaab and Islamic State Somalia (ISS) regularly attacked schools and health facilities, with thirty-two attacks on schools verified in 2025. Since Somalia acquired Bayraktar TB2 armed drones from Türkiye, civilians have also been reported killed in strikes against Al-Shabaab and during counterpiracy operations off Puntland. Al-Shabaab continued to recruit and use children, as did clan militias and, in isolated cases, the Somali National Army. Girls were subjected to forced marriage, rape and other sexual violence, mainly by Al-Shabaab but also by State security forces, and women and girls in displacement settlements were particularly exposed, while funding cuts reduced specialised services. Somalia adopted a National Civilian Protection Policy in April 2026, but questions remain over whether its institutions have the resources and independence to investigate abuses and address impunity.
Classification
Historical Background
Origins
State collapse in 1991 precipitated prolonged power struggles. Despite a 2004 transitional government, Islamist armed groups seized Mogadishu and other areas in 2006, prompting Ethiopian, African Union (AU), and UN interventions. A federal government was internationally recognized in 2012, yet Al-Shabaab retains significant capacity and cross-border reach.
Parties and external support
Somali State forces, supported by African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) (succeeded by African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in December 2024), the United States (US), Ethiopia, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), confront Al-Shabaab. Türkiye has trained large contingents since 2017 and reinforced its presence in 2025. The UAE provides training and operational support.
Current armed conflicts
The NIAC between Somalia (and support forces) and Al-Shabaab persists, characterized by sustained operations and territorial contests. As of December 2024, Somali forces also engaged Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) in a distinct NIAC.
Somaliland and SSC-Khaatumo
A separate confrontation in the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions began in January 2023 between Somaliland and Dhulbahante clan militias, subsiding after Somaliland’s withdrawal and the SSC-Khaatumo administration’s creation. Sporadic clashes continued. In May 2025, the National Consultative Conference agreed to recognize SSC-Khaatumo as a federal member state, without Puntland and Jubaland participating.
Humanitarian situation
Civilians continue to face high casualties, displacement, food insecurity, and attacks on aid operations, reflecting the protracted nature of violence nationwide.
Key Developments (2023–2025)
The reporting period saw several major developments:
- New non-international armed conflict between Somalia and Islamic State in Somalia (ISS): confrontations escalated from sporadic to sustained in late 2024, with Somali security forces mounting coordinated operations in Puntland that reversed ISS footholds. ISS introduced limited drone use in early 2025 but subsequently ceded ground as security forces pressed into remaining valleys, with armed violence amounting to a NIAC.
- Below the threshold clashes between ISS and Al-Shabaab: clashes between Al-Shabaab and ISS remained episodic and localized, involved light weaponry, and produced relatively few casualties. Exchanges primarily sought materiel and micro-terrain advantages in Bari, without the sustained intensity necessary to constitute a separate NIAC between the two groups.
- The United States in an invited and supporting role: at Somalia’s request, US forces provided air support, training, and infrastructure assistance. This external support, given Somali consent, does not alter the legal characterization of Somalia’s NIACs against Al-Shabaab and ISS.
- African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) replaces African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS): African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) drew down in late 2024 and was succeeded by African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) on 1 January 2025. Transition frictions – funding gaps and troop-contributor uncertainty – limited operational change despite the formal handover.
- Ankara Declaration of 11 December 2024: Somalia and Ethiopia reaffirmed security cooperation, with subsequent confirmation of Ethiopian participation under the new AUSSOM and agreement on troop numbers in early 2025.
- Kenyan Special Forces border patrol impacted by USAID freeze: Persistent Al-Shabaab spillover coincided with funding shortfalls from USAID that curtailed Kenya’s border security programme, constraining patrols along the north-eastern frontier.
Non-International Armed Conflicts
Somalia vs Al-Shabaab
Somalia vs Islamic State Somalia
Parties to the Conflicts and Other Main Actors
State Party
- Somalia
- United States of America (US)
- African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) (Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda)
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
Non-State Parties
- Al-Shabaab
- Islamic State in Somalia (ISS)
Foreign Involvement
- Türkiye
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Civilian Harm
Reporting period: 2026
ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS
In 2026, civilian harm continued, resulting in many deaths and injuries, as well as population displacement. The conduct was primarily attributed to Al-Shabaab, including through suicide bombings and use of other improvised explosive devices (IEDs), but also as a result of the group’s military operations. The use of armed drones by the authorities also continued to kill civilian, with allegations sometimes related to counterpiracy operations. Some harm in residential areas was due to political violence rather than to hostilities.
Civilian harm remained pervasive in 2026 despite a decline from previous years. Civilians were reportedly killed or injured by Al-Shabaab as well as during airstrikes and operations against the group, although responsibility for some incidents remained disputed or unclear. Civilian casualties were also alleged during Turkish and Somali operations responding to piracy off Puntland. In April 2026, Somalia adopted a National Civilian Protection Policy
ATTACKS ON CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE
Both Al-Shabaab and ISS have regularly attacked schools and health facilities. In 2026, some events impacting on hospitals, and their patients and medical personnel, were linked to political violence rather than to hostilities.
In 2025, verified reports recorded thirty-two attacks on schools, the majority attributed to Al-Shabaab. Under customary IHL, attacks may be directed only at military objectives and never at civilian objects. Parties must also take special care to avoid damage to buildings dedicated to religion, art, science, or education, unless those facilities qualify as military objectives.
VIOLATIONS AGAINST PERSONS IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY
Somalia continues to experience serious violations affecting children, including recruitment, abduction, killing, maiming and sexual violence, predominantly attributed to Al-Shabaab, but also to Somali security forces and clan militias. Women and girls, particularly those in displacement settlements, face heightened risks of sexual and gender-based violence. Recruitment and use of children by Al-Shabaab continued, with isolated cases involving the Somali National Army. Persons with disabilities faced heightened risks and barriers to assistance, with women and internally displaced persons particularly affected.
Murder of Civilians
Violence against civilians persisted across Somalia’s armed conflicts during the period. One incident involving the killing of captured crew members may have been linked to Al-Shabaab and the armed conflict, but the circumstances remain unclear.