Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) has held talks with Major General Claude K. Tudor Jr., Commander of Special Operations for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and other senior U.S. military officials on strengthening security cooperation and intensifying operations against Al-Shabaab in Jubaland.

According to Jubaland’s presidency, the meeting focused on expanding coordination between Jubaland security forces and AFRICOM, particularly efforts to recover areas still controlled by Al-Shabaab.

The talks come as military operations in southern Somalia have intensified, with Somali and Jubaland forces advancing toward areas around Jilib, a key Al-Shabaab stronghold in the Middle Juba region.

Ahmed Madobe was accompanied by Jubaland Intelligence and Security Agency Director Mohamed Ahmed Sabriye, while the U.S. delegation included Maj. Gen. Tudor and other AFRICOM officials.

The discussions underscore the continued U.S. role in supporting Somali-led counterterrorism operations through military coordination, intelligence and operational assistance.

A Somaliland delegation led by Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali has visited the headquarters of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Stuttgart, Germany, where officials discussed defense cooperation, maritime security and stability in the Horn of Africa, according to Somaliland authorities.

The delegation included Somaliland Coast Guard Commander Adm. Ahmed Hurre Hariye, senior adviser Farah Ahmed Habush and academic Abdiasis Ahmed.

Discussions focused on expanding security cooperation with the United States, strengthening Somaliland’s defense and security institutions, and improving maritime capabilities.

The talks also covered security along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, two strategically important maritime routes for global trade.

Officials exchanged views on addressing emerging security threats and protecting international shipping lanes, while also discussing broader efforts to promote peace and stability across the Horn of Africa.

Somaliland’s Defense Ministry said the meeting concluded with an initial understanding to continue expanding defense cooperation and institutional capacity-building.

The ministry described the discussions as an important step toward strengthening maritime security and Somaliland’s contribution to regional and international security.

The meeting comes as U.S. officials continue security engagements with authorities in both Hargeisa and Mogadishu.

However, Washington continues to recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia and does not recognize Somaliland as an independent state.

The commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, has dismissed claims that the United States is withdrawing from Somalia, insisting that Washington remains committed to supporting the country’s fight against terrorism while expecting Somali authorities to assume greater responsibility for their own security.

Speaking during his visit to Somalia, General Anderson said the United States has invested heavily in building Somalia’s counterterrorism capabilities and will continue to stand alongside the country as long as Somali leaders demonstrate sustained progress in strengthening national security institutions.

“The United States has not abandoned Somalia,” Anderson said. “We have been here for many years, and I believe we have been very effective.”

Danab Force Highlighted as a Major Success

Anderson pointed to the U.S.-trained Danab Special Forces Brigade as one of the most significant achievements of the long-running security partnership between Washington and Mogadishu.

“We helped build Danab, one of the most capable military units on the African continent. We are extremely proud of our role in developing this counterterrorism force. That mission has been accomplished. The force now exists and is ready to be employed against terrorist organizations,” he said.

However, he stressed that the next phase depends on Somalia itself.

“It is now Somalia’s responsibility to sustain, expand, and continue developing this force so it can independently confront terrorism,” Anderson added.

Washington Wants Somalia to Lead

The AFRICOM commander acknowledged that policymakers in Washington are increasingly questioning when Somalia will be able to take full ownership of its security after years of extensive American military assistance.

“There are people in Washington asking, ‘We’ve been here for many years. When will Somalia be able to independently manage these security challenges?'” he said.

According to Anderson, continued U.S. engagement will ultimately depend on Somalia’s ability to demonstrate political stability and sustained progress in assuming security responsibilities.

“If Somalia continues moving forward and its government takes the lead, we will remain engaged because we share common interests,” he said. “But if we do not see that progress, and political instability and internal disputes continue, it becomes much more difficult for us to justify a long-term commitment.”

Military Support Continues Despite Funding Concerns

Anderson’s remarks come amid growing debate over the future of U.S. involvement in Somalia following President Donald Trump’s return to office.

Although the administration has adopted a more cautious approach toward overseas commitments and has questioned long-term foreign spending, U.S. military cooperation with Somalia has continued.

The visit also comes at a time when Washington has informed the African Union that it does not intend to continue funding the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) beyond December 2026.

That decision has raised concerns over the future sustainability of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which relies heavily on UN logistical support, including food, fuel, medical services, transport, and casualty evacuation.

Despite those funding concerns, the United States has reaffirmed that bilateral military cooperation—including intelligence sharing, training, air support, and counterterrorism operations—will continue.

U.S. Air Campaign Intensifies

While questions remain about the future of international funding for Somalia’s broader security architecture, U.S. military operations against militant groups have intensified.

According to data compiled by the New America Foundation, the United States has carried out a growing number of airstrikes against both Al-Shabaab and the ISIS affiliate in Somalia since President Trump returned to office.

The pace of operations has already surpassed the combined number of strikes conducted during the administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden over comparable periods, placing the current campaign on course to exceed the 219 airstrikes conducted during Trump’s first term.

Most of the operations have targeted Al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked insurgent group that has been fighting the Somali government since 2007 and continues to control parts of southern and central Somalia, as well as ISIS militants operating in the mountainous regions of northeastern Somalia.

A Long-Term Security Partnership

Over the past two decades, the United States has invested billions of dollars in Somalia through military training, intelligence cooperation, counterterrorism assistance, humanitarian aid, and institutional capacity building.

Washington remains one of Somalia’s most important security partners as the Federal Government seeks to weaken extremist groups and gradually assume full responsibility for national security.

General Anderson’s visit underscores a dual message from Washington: the United States remains committed to helping Somalia combat terrorism, but future support will increasingly depend on measurable progress toward political stability, security sector reform, and Somalia’s ability to independently lead and sustain its own security operations.