U.S. Officials Debate Future of Counterterrorism Efforts in Somalia

A divide has emerged within the Trump administration regarding the future of U.S. counterterrorism operations in Somalia, as some officials advocate for embassy closure due to rising threats from Al Shabab, while others caution against actions that could destabilize the Somali government.

The recent battlefield gains by the Islamist insurgency Al Shabab in Somalia have triggered a heated debate among U.S. officials about the viability of American operations in the region. Some State Department figures are pushing for the closure of the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu and a withdrawal of personnel to enhance security amid fears of rising militant threats. However, others, particularly within the National Security Council, argue that retreating might undermine confidence in Somalia’s central government and hasten its collapse.

This internal division reflects a broader dilemma for the Trump administration as it grapples with foreign policy in a nation deeply affected by clan rivalries and years of warfare. The U.S. has been engaged in a low-level counterterrorism campaign in Somalia for nearly two decades, with limited success.

Concerns surrounding these discussions are colored by past foreign policy failures, such as the disastrous 2012 Benghazi attack and the hasty exit from Afghanistan in 2021, which has led to a cautious approach from some quarters of the administration. Key figures, including Sebastian Gorka, Trump’s counterterrorism adviser, advocate for a more aggressive U.S. stance against the militants. Conversely, some isolationist factions within Trump’s base are wary of deeper involvement, urging a reevaluation of U.S. interests in Somalia.

An interagency meeting convened by Gorka at the White House recently concluded without offering a definitive strategy, leaving the fate of U.S. involvement in Somalia uncertain amidst the escalating threats.