A US airstrike in southern Somalia that killed at least 12 civilians, including eight children, in November 2025 has raised renewed questions over the consequences of American military operations targeting armed groups in the country.

The strike took place in Jamaame, a town in Somalia’s Lower Juba region, on the morning of Nov. 15, according to accounts gathered from residents and reviewed evidence from the attack site. The United States has not publicly acknowledged civilian deaths from the operation.

Residents said the attack began shortly after 9 a.m. when aircraft were heard above the town. Witnesses described a series of explosions that struck residential areas and a religious school, leaving homes damaged or destroyed.The victims included children who had been returning from Qur’an school, families inside their homes, and a pregnant woman, according to relatives and witnesses.

The US military confirmed that it had conducted an operation against al-Shabaab, an armed group linked to al-Qaida that has carried out attacks in Somalia and neighbouring countries. The strike was part of a wider campaign of US air operations aimed at disrupting the group.Residents said the aircraft involved were likely drones.

The weaponry used in the attack was not publicly disclosed, but witnesses described repeated missile strikes consistent with the use of remotely piloted aircraft.At one home in Jamaame, relatives said the attack killed Safiyo Hassan Abukar, who was heavily pregnant, along with her children Abdifatah, 10, Abdinasir, 7, Hussein, 6, and Abdurahman, 4.Mohamed, the children’s grandfather, said he rushed to the scene after hearing explosions and found debris scattered around the destroyed house.

He said Abdifatah was often close to his mother and helped her with household tasks. He described Abdinasir as a child who regularly asked him to pray so he could memorise the Qur’an.Other residents reported similar losses.

Marian Haji Abdi Guled said her children were returning from Qur’an school when the attack occurred. She said the sound of aircraft overhead caused fear among residents before the strikes hit.According to Guled, her children were injured when missiles struck nearby.

She said the area became chaotic as residents attempted to move away from the attacks.Maryan Nur Buruji said her pregnant stepdaughter sought shelter at the Qur’an school with her two-year-old child. She said the school was later hit, killing the woman while the toddler survived.

Another resident, Mohamed Hassan Abdulle, said he returned to find his home destroyed and his wife, Farhiyo Hassan Nuur, and their 10-month-old daughter, Layla, dead.Farmers working outside the town also described receiving urgent calls from relatives as the attack unfolded.Gedow Ibrahim said he was working in his sesame fields when his wife called, warning him that drones were flying overhead.

He told her to remain inside, but later received another call saying their home had been hit.He said his daughters Maryan, 9, and Farhiyo, 7, were killed, while another child, Amin, 8, was injured by shrapnel.The attack also killed other residents, including a local imam, according to witnesses.

Residents said at least 15 explosions were heard and that numerous homes were damaged. Witnesses estimated that about 18 houses were destroyed, while the school was heavily damaged.The incident is among the deadliest reported civilian casualties from a US operation in Somalia in recent years.

Previous major incidents involving US forces in Somalia include the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, known as “Black Hawk Down,” which resulted in significant casualties during a failed US military mission.The strike occurred months after the start of the second Trump administration, during a period when US policy toward Somalia was being reassessed.

In early 2025, US defence officials held discussions with senior officers from US Africa Command, which oversees American military operations on the continent.A directive issued during that period changed procedures governing aspects of US military operations, according to reporting on the policy shift. The effect of those changes on individual operations was not publicly detailed.

US officials have repeatedly said American military action in Somalia is aimed at preventing attacks by al-Shabaab and reducing the group’s ability to operate. The group has controlled territory in parts of Somalia at various times and has carried out attacks against civilians, government forces, and international targets.

Human rights organisations have previously raised concerns about civilian harm from airstrikes in Somalia and other conflict zones, calling for greater transparency around targeting decisions and investigations into possible civilian casualties.The Jamaame strike has renewed scrutiny over the balance between counterterrorism operations and civilian protection in areas where armed groups operate among local populations.

For the families affected, the consequences remain centred on the loss of relatives who were inside homes, travelling from school, or working nearby when the strikes occurred.Abdullahi Mohamed Abo Sheikh Ali, whose family was killed, said he believed civilians had been caught in the attack.

“The Americans bombed us,” he said. “Children, women and elders were bombed. They spared nothing.”

Kharg Island, located about 15 to 16 nautical miles off the coast of Iran, serves as a critical export hub handling roughly 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil shipments, making it a central node in the country’s energy infrastructure and a key source of revenue.

Trump has publicly suggested the United States could take control of the island to assert influence over Iran’s oil and gas sector, while also acknowledging that a ground operation would be difficult and politically sensitive. In remarks cited by US media, he indicated reluctance to deploy ground troops, while suggesting limited military options could still be considered.

The United States military has already conducted strikes on the island earlier this year, targeting more than 90 military installations, including naval mine storage sites and missile facilities, while reportedly sparing oil infrastructure to avoid long-term economic disruption, according to Central Command assessments cited in reporting.

However, analysts cited by Arab News and Reuters warned that any attempt to physically occupy the island would likely escalate the conflict. Experts from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said an occupation could prolong the war and fail to deliver a decisive strategic outcome.

Former US Central Command commander Joseph Votel was cited as saying that while a relatively small force could theoretically hold the island, such troops would require extensive logistical support and would remain highly vulnerable to attack.

Iranian officials have reinforced defenses around the island, deploying air-defense systems, mines, and other military assets in surrounding waters. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Iranian forces were prepared to respond forcefully to any incursion, including targeting regional infrastructure.

Military analysts also cautioned that any US presence could be exposed to asymmetric tactics, including drone surveillance and propaganda dissemination of battlefield losses, potentially increasing political pressure on Washington.

Despite heightened tensions, Trump has recently indicated a pause in new strikes following what he described as progress in negotiations with Tehran, suggesting that diplomatic channels remain active alongside military signaling.

Bahrain said seven missiles fired by Iran toward Bahrain and Kuwait were intercepted, describing the attack as “blatant aggression” and urging Tehran to immediately halt strikes against Gulf neighbors. Kuwait’s military also reported intercepting incoming missiles and drones.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it targeted Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces, and the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

The attacks came hours after U.S. Central Command said it intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles and drones launched toward Gulf allies and the Strait of Hormuz, while carrying out retaliatory strikes against Iranian coastal radar installations.

Washington said the Iranian drones posed an immediate threat to maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, a key route for global oil and gas shipments. The latest exchange has further strained a fragile ceasefire and intensified pressure on Tehran as the Trump administration seeks a broader agreement to end the conflict.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the operation targeted Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, whom he identified as the second-in-command of Daesh globally. Trump said the mission was conducted jointly with Nigerian forces following intelligence tracking the militant’s activities across Africa.

“Brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission,” Trump said, adding that Al-Minuki “will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.”Trump did not specify where the operation occurred or whether it involved airstrikes, ground forces or drone attacks.

Nigerian authorities had not immediately issued a public statement detailing the mission.The United States sanctioned Al-Minuki in 2023, identifying him as a senior Daesh figure based in the Sahel region and part of the organization’s General Directorate of Provinces, the administrative structure responsible for coordinating operations and financing across multiple regions.

According to the US State Department, Al-Minuki played a role in providing operational guidance and funding support for Daesh affiliates operating in Africa and beyond.Nigeria has faced escalating militant violence from regional branches linked to Daesh as well as rival Islamist group Boko Haram.

Nigerian security forces have also been engaged in operations against heavily armed criminal gangs known locally as “bandits.”Washington has increased military cooperation with Nigeria since late 2025 amid growing US concerns about the expansion of Islamist insurgencies across West Africa and the Sahel.

On Christmas Day last year, US and Nigerian forces conducted joint airstrikes in Sokoto State targeting fighters from the Islamic State in the Sahel Province, a Daesh affiliate active across parts of Niger and northwestern Nigeria.

Since then, hundreds of US personnel have reportedly been deployed to Nigeria to assist with intelligence sharing, military training and counterterrorism coordination.

Trump thanked the Nigerian government for what he described as its “partnership” in the latest operation, saying the removal of Al-Minuki had significantly weakened Daesh’s international network.

United States Southern Command released video footage on social media showing what appeared to be a vessel at sea moments before an explosion engulfed it in flames.The military said it immediately alerted the United States Coast Guard to begin search-and-rescue operations for the surviving individual.The strike marked the latest in a series of U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea since September

. According to Associated Press reporting, the campaign has resulted in at least 193 deaths. The Pentagon has repeatedly said the targeted vessels were operating along known drug-smuggling routes and linked to trafficking networks, though officials have not publicly presented evidence showing that the destroyed boats were carrying narcotics.

The operation came days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump had approved a revised U.S. counterterrorism strategy prioritizing the dismantling of drug cartels across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Trump has described cartels as an “unacceptable threat” to hemispheric security and has urged regional governments to intensify military cooperation with Washington against organized crime and transnational gangs.

The strikes have intensified in recent weeks despite growing scrutiny from legal scholars and human rights groups, who have questioned the legality of using military force against suspected traffickers outside conventional armed conflict zones.

Critics have argued the operations risk constituting extrajudicial killings because the U.S. government has disclosed limited evidence about the identities of those targeted or the intelligence underpinning the attacks.

The campaign has also coincided with a major expansion of U.S. military activity in Latin America and Caribbean waters, where the administration says it is attempting to curb narcotics flows into the United States and disrupt cartel financing networks.

“The ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth told reporters during a briefing at the Pentagon, adding that U.S. forces would continue to defend maritime traffic while avoiding escalation. He said any determination of a ceasefire breach would rest with President Donald Trump.

The comments came as tensions mounted following reported exchanges of fire between U.S. and Iranian forces, underscoring the fragility of a truce reached after hostilities erupted earlier this year. The confrontation has centered on control and access to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for global energy shipments.

Trump on Monday announced the launch of “Project Freedom,” a military operation aimed at protecting commercial vessels transiting the waterway. Hegseth described the initiative as “defensive in nature, focused in scope and temporary in duration,” with the sole objective of shielding shipping from what he termed Iranian aggression.

“Iran does not control the strait,” Hegseth said, adding that U.S. forces would not need to enter Iranian territorial waters or airspace to carry out the mission. “We’re not looking for a fight.”Iran had effectively disrupted traffic through the strait after the conflict began on February 28, following the involvement of U.S. and Israeli forces, raising concerns over global supply chains and energy markets.

Hegseth cautioned Tehran to act prudently, reiterating Washington’s position that it seeks to prevent escalation while maintaining freedom of navigation through one of the world’s most strategically sensitive maritime corridors.

Gannon Ken Van Dyke, 38, allegedly exploited sensitive details from a January mission to capture Maduro, using insider knowledge to place wagers on the platform Polymarket, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York.

Prosecutors said Van Dyke participated in the planning and execution of the operation for about a month starting Dec. 8, 2025, during which he had access to classified material.He faces multiple charges, including unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.

If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence.According to the indictment, Van Dyke created an account on Polymarket in late December and placed around 13 bets, taking positions on outcomes such as the presence of U.S. forces in Venezuela and Maduro being removed from power by Jan. 31, 2026.

Officials allege that after securing the winnings, Van Dyke transferred much of the funds into a foreign cryptocurrency account before moving them into a brokerage account. He also attempted to have his Polymarket account deleted, claiming he had lost access to the associated email, prosecutors said.

Van Dyke, a Master Sergeant promoted in 2023, was part of the U.S. special forces community and stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The indictment states he had signed nondisclosure agreements prohibiting the disclosure or misuse of classified or sensitive operational information.

Kash Patel said the case underscores accountability for individuals entrusted with national security information. “Any clearance holders thinking of cashing in their access and knowledge for personal gain will be held accountable,” he said in a statement.

The case follows heightened scrutiny of prediction markets after reports earlier this month identified suspiciously accurate bets tied to geopolitical developments, prompting warnings from the White House against the misuse of nonpublic information in such platforms.

The Pentagon referred inquiries to the Army and the Department of Justice, while U.S. Special Operations Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

“We will EXTEND the A-10 ‘Warthog’ platform to 2030,” Meink wrote on social media, adding the decision would help preserve combat capability while the defense industrial base ramps up aircraft production.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, first introduced in 1976, had been scheduled for retirement by 2026. The aircraft has been actively deployed in recent operations involving Iran, with U.S. Central Command indicating its use against maritime targets in the Strait of Hormuz.

Long valued for its durability and powerful nose-mounted cannon designed for close air support, the A-10 has remained central to operations supporting ground troops. However, Air Force officials have repeatedly argued the platform is increasingly costly to maintain and less suited to modern warfare compared with newer systems.

Debate over the aircraft’s future has persisted for more than two decades, with proponents in Congress warning that retiring the fleet without a direct replacement could leave a critical gap in battlefield support. In 2021, Mark Kelly successfully pushed to block earlier retirement plans through defense legislation, citing the need to sustain the capability.

The largest share of the A-10 fleet is based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where the aircraft contributes significantly to the local economy and employment.

While extending the platform ensures continued availability in current operations, Air Force officials have cautioned that maintaining the aging fleet places additional strain on maintenance resources needed for next-generation aircraft development.

The latest move underscores a continued balancing act between modernization priorities and immediate operational requirements.

The ministry said talks are ongoing over a draft “Letter of Intent,” stressing that the proposal remains preliminary and non-binding. It added that any arrangement would need to respect Indonesia’s sovereignty and comply with national laws.

Media reports had suggested the United States was seeking “blanket overnight access” for its military aircraft and that President Prabowo Subianto had approved the plan. The ministry, however, said the draft was still under internal review.

Pete Hegseth is scheduled to meet Indonesia’s defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin later on Monday, according to a U.S. government advisory, with the discussions expected to cover defence cooperation.

Indonesia emphasised that control over its airspace remains solely under national authority, and that any agreements with foreign partners would safeguard its strategic interests.

The discussions come amid heightened regional security dynamics and increased military coordination between the United States and its partners across the Indo-Pacific.

In a prime-time address, Trump said the United States would “hit” Iran hard over the next two to three weeks while asserting that core military objectives were nearing completion.

However, the absence of a defined endgame unsettled investors and raised concerns about prolonged disruption to global energy supplies.

South AfricaBenchmark crude prices jumped around 5%, climbing above $106 per barrel, while equity markets declined across major regions as traders reacted to continued uncertainty over the conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.

Trump reiterated that U.S. forces were “on track” to complete their objectives “very shortly,” and said Iran had been “essentially decimated,” while warning that further escalation remained possible if Tehran did not meet U.S. demands.

He also suggested potential strikes on key infrastructure, including energy facilities. Despite the aggressive rhetoric, diplomatic prospects remain limited. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran is seeking a guaranteed ceasefire before halting attacks and confirmed that no indirect talks on a temporary truce have taken place.

The ongoing conflict, which began after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, has disrupted global oil flows and heightened geopolitical risk across the Middle East. Iran’s effective blockade of Hormuz has constrained shipments that typically account for about one-fifth of global oil and gas trade, amplifying volatility in energy markets.

Market participants said Trump’s speech failed to reassure investors seeking clarity on how and when the conflict might end, with uncertainty over supply disruptions and military escalation continuing to drive price swings.

International financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency, have warned that the war is having significant and uneven global economic impacts, particularly on energy-importing countries.