Mogadishu, Somalia – April 10, 2025:

Recent Al Shabab attacks in Somalia have raised concerns within the U.S. State Department regarding the safety of American personnel in Somalia, as reported by the New York Times. Some officials in the department have suggested closing the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu and withdrawing most personnel. However, this has sparked debates within the Trump administration, with some members of the U.S. National Security Council expressing concerns that closing the embassy could weaken confidence in Somalia’s central government, potentially leading to a rapid collapse.

The United States has been involved in Somalia for nearly two decades, providing military support, including training and equipping Somali forces, to fight Al Shabab.

The recent mortar attacks launched by Al Shabab on Mogadishu have heightened concerns about the security of the U.S. embassy, which is located at the city’s airport. The embassy remains operational.

While some officials advocate for a strategic withdrawal, others argue that reducing the U.S. presence could jeopardize the fragile progress in Somalia’s stability and efforts to combat militant groups operating in the country.