U.S. Africa Command remains committed to supporting African partners as they work to establish and maintain security and stability throughout Africa, conditions which enable African governments to serve the interests of their people, promote prosperity in Africa, and advance shared priorities and U.S. interests in the region.

We employ a vast array of security cooperation, training, and capacity-building programs to support our African partners. While we focus on engagement and relationships to realize a vision of a secure and prosperous Africa, another facet of our support relies on operational actions that directly support partner forces to disrupt violent extremist organizations and contain the chaos and instability they sow.

Airstrikes are one tool that are used in consultation with African partners. African partners serve as the first line in the fight against extremism and the first, best option to take action against VEOs. 

The destructive and growing threat in Africa from violent extremist organizations is significant and impacts not only Africans, but also the U.S. and international allies. U.S. Africa Command stands ready to protect those shared interests. Through decisive action we can preserve this vision of security by giving partner forces an operational advantage to conduct counter VEO and peacekeeping missions and governments the space to care for their citizens. By maintaining a strike process that aims to reduce the risk of harm to civilians, U.S. Africa Command takes significant measures to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict during the course of our operations.