United States military forces withdrew from the Baledogle airfield, located in the Lower Shabelle region, at the end of October 2026, following more than 14 years of using the base for military operations against the Al-Shabaab group.
This departure represents a significant shift in how the U.S. has operated in Somalia, particularly in the Lower Shabelle region, which has long served as a vital hub for aerial operations, training, and support for Somali government forces.
U.S. forces were relocated from the base at the end of October, with U.S. officials confirming the development to the *Task & Purpose* publication.
A small contingent of troops previously stationed at the base for training purposes also reportedly departed at the end of last month.
Baledogle Airfield is situated approximately 96 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu. The U.S. established a military presence there in 2012, utilizing the base for counter-Al-Shabaab operations, security intelligence gathering, and training for specialized Somali forces, notably the Danab commandos.
Throughout the U.S. tenure at the facility, Baledogle became a cornerstone of Somali-U.S. military cooperation.
Somali forces routinely underwent combat training, military tactics instruction, and special operations preparation at the site.
The base has also been targeted on multiple occasions by Al-Shabaab attacks. The most notable and widely remembered assault occurred on September 30, 2019, when the group deployed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) alongside small arms fire. U.S. and Somali forces successfully repelled the attack, according to U.S. military reports.
To date, no official, comprehensive explanation has been provided detailing why the U.S. relocated its forces from Baledogle. U.S. officials speaking to *Task & Purpose* stated that troops were transferred to other locations within Somalia and that a future return to the base remains possible.
Meanwhile, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) did not directly confirm the withdrawal, stating instead that U.S. forces routinely conduct movements and repositioning to optimize operations against terrorist organizations.
The command also withheld operational specifics citing security considerations.
Notably, in May 2025, the U.S. announced plans to upgrade the base, encompassing the construction of a medical facility, troop housing, and security enhancements.
That project was characterized as establishing the base for long-term utilization. Consequently, the reported withdrawal has raised questions regarding shifts in prior U.S. planning.
Available reports indicate that while U.S. forces were removed from Baledogle, they remain stationed elsewhere in Somalia.
U.S. officials affirmed that personnel were redeployed to other areas of the country, while AFRICOM emphasized its ongoing adjustments of operating locations.
Furthermore, the departure from the base does not signify a cessation of U.S. airstrikes against Al-Shabaab. AFRICOM reported executing four airstrikes against the group in October 2026, demonstrating that U.S. operations in Somalia have continued despite the evacuation from Baledogle.
Can Somali Forces Assume Security Responsibility for Baledogle?
The departure of U.S. forces coincides with repeated assertions by the Somali government that national forces are progressively assuming regional security responsibilities and reducing reliance on foreign military support.
Baledogle remains a critical node in the anti-Al-Shabaab campaign, having served as the foundational training ground for Danab and a staging point for military operations.
Should Somali forces assume full administrative and operational control of the base, they will inherit obligations including perimeter security, infrastructure maintenance, airfield management, and operational continuity.
A report published by the *Horn Observer* on October 28 stated that Ugandan and Somali forces assumed control of the facility following the U.S. withdrawal.
However, official details regarding the new administrative framework and the transfer agreement have not yet been fully disclosed.
The central question remains whether Somali forces will maintain the base’s operational functions without forfeiting U.S. training support, intelligence coordination, and military partnership.
The U.S. withdrawal from Baledogle has generated profound questions concerning the future trajectory of the war against Al-Shabaab, particularly in the Lower Shabelle region, where the militant group continues to mount attacks and security disruptions.