A Detailed Chronological Overview of 2025 Military Events in the Horn of Africa

Explore the unfolding military timeline shaping regional security dynamics.

Key Highlights

Multinational Exercises: Major drills like Justified Accord 2025 have significantly enhanced readiness and cooperation among regional and international forces.
Diplomatic and Strategic Agreements: Agreements, such as the SOFA between Somalia and Ethiopia, have redefined operational boundaries and regional force deployments.
Militant Activity and Counterterrorism: Persistent Al Shabaab offensives alongside increased military responses underscore the complexity of security challenges in Somalia.

Chronological Table of Military Events in 2025

An Integrated Timeline of Key Events

February 2025

The early part of 2025 saw a flurry of coordinated military initiatives aimed at improving regional stability and cooperative readiness. The following events shaped the military landscape in the Horn of Africa during this period:

February 4, 2025:
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) hosted its inaugural Warrior Day at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. This event served as a platform to strengthen bonds among allied forces, fostering interoperability and shared tactical expertise.
February 10–21, 2025:
Exercise Justified Accord 2025, the largest U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) multinational military drill in East Africa, unfolded across Kenya, Djibouti, and Tanzania. Approximately 1,300 personnel from over 15 nations participated in this exercise, focusing on enhancing combat readiness, crisis response capabilities, and improving joint operational strategies.
February 14, 2025:
The official opening ceremony for the Justified Accord 2025 exercise was held in Msata, Tanzania. This ceremony marked the commencement of intensive military cooperation, underscoring the commitment of regional partners to combat common threats and maintain a stable security environment.
February 24, 2025:
In a critical diplomatic move, Somalia and Ethiopia signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The agreement permits Ethiopian forces to operate within Somalia amidst escalating security concerns, particularly related to Al Shabaab’s militant operations. This diplomatic initiative reflects the strategic necessity of collaborative security arrangements in the Horn of Africa.
Late February 2025:
Reports emerged of intensified militant activities, particularly from Al Shabaab in Somalia. Security forces in regions such as Bal’ad experienced temporary overruns by Al Shabaab militants. These episodes of heightened insurgent activity precipitated the need for rapid mobilization and underscored vulnerabilities within local security frameworks.

March 2025

March witnessed further escalation in military engagements and tactical responses to insurgent threats. Several significant operations and high-profile visits underscored the region's evolving security dynamics:

March 11, 2025:
Al Shabaab militants launched a complex siege attack on Beledweyne in the Hiraan region. This assault highlighted both the operational capabilities of insurgent groups and the urgent need for comprehensive counterterrorism strategies involving domestic and international forces. The attack also led to reinforced security measures hinting at longer-term counterinsurgency actions.
March 18, 2025:
In a strategic move to consolidate militia support against insurgents, President Mohamud of Somalia visited Adan Yabal. During this visit, efforts were made to rally local clan militias, emphasizing the convergence of governmental and community-driven security initiatives. This visit was crucial in realigning local forces and bolstering morale amid external threats.
March 2025 (Ongoing):
Throughout the month, Somali security forces, working in tandem with international partners, increased counterterrorism operations. These coordinated efforts aimed to mitigate Al Shabaab's influence across multiple fronts, ensuring that critical regions remained secure amid unpredictable militant maneuvers.
March 2025 (Additional Tensions):
Tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia, influenced by disputes over resources such as the Nile River, were also reported during March. Although these tensions were not confined strictly to military actions in the Horn of Africa, they contributed to the broader atmosphere of regional instability. The evolving situation necessitated increased military readiness and vigilance to preclude escalation.

Comprehensive Military Event Summary

The military events in the Horn of Africa during early 2025 can be categorized into three primary themes:

Multinational Cooperation and Readiness: Large-scale exercises such as Justified Accord 2025 underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration, pooling diverse capabilities to enhance regional security.
Strategic Diplomatic Engagements: The SOFA agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia and targeted presidential visits highlighted the blend of diplomatic dialogue and local mobilization to address shared security challenges.
Counterterrorism Measures and Insurgent Threats: Persistent militant actions by Al Shabaab spurred intensified counterterrorism operations, reflecting the dual necessity of military vigilance and power projection in volatile regions.

Detailed Event Summary Table

Date	Event	Location	Description
February 4, 2025	Warrior Day	Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti	Inaugural Warrior Day hosted by CJTF-HOA, enhancing joint tactical communication between allied forces.
February 10–21, 2025	Exercise Justified Accord 2025	Kenya, Djibouti, Tanzania	Largest AFRICOM-led multinational drill involving around 1,300 personnel to boost crisis response and military readiness.
February 14, 2025	Opening Ceremony of JA25	Msata, Tanzania	Official launch of the multinational military drill, symbolizing regional commitment to collective security.
February 24, 2025	SOFA Signing	Somalia/Ethiopia Border Regions	Somalia and Ethiopia formalize an agreement enabling Ethiopian forces to operate in Somalia amidst counterterrorism efforts.
Late February 2025	Insurgent Overruns	Bal’ad, Somalia	Al Shabaab temporarily overruns local security forces, highlighting growing militant capabilities.
March 11, 2025	Siege Attack	Beledweyne, Somalia	Coordinated assault by Al Shabaab militants leading to enhanced counterterrorism measures.
March 18, 2025	Presidential Visit	Adan Yabal, Somalia	President Mohamud rallies local clan militias to strengthen counter-insurgent operations.
March 2025 (Ongoing)	Counterterrorism Operations	Nationwide in Somalia	Enhanced field actions by Somali forces and international partners to combat widespread militant insurgencies.
March 2025 (Additional)	Regional Tensions	Nile Region	Tensions and strategic positioning between Egypt and Ethiopia amplify the overall security environment.

In-Depth Analysis of Regional Military Dynamics

Multinational Cooperation Initiatives

One of the standout features of the military events in the Horn of Africa is the strong emphasis on multinational exercises. Justified Accord 2025 exemplifies this trend by bringing together forces from over 15 different nations. Such drills aim not only to refine joint tactical capabilities but also to build interpersonal relationships between allied commanders and troops, setting the stage for effective collaboration in times of crises. This cooperation is vital in a region characterized by both conventional and asymmetrical warfare challenges.

Strategic and Diplomatic Engagements

The signing of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Somalia and Ethiopia is reflective of broader diplomatic measures taken to address regional security complexities. The SOFA is more than a bureaucratic formality; it lays the foundation for sustained military cooperation and logistical support. In addition, high-level visits—such as President Mohamud’s strategic outreach in Adan Yabal—demonstrate the commitment of local governments to actively support counterterrorism initiatives through both military and community-level mobilization.

Counterterrorism Measures and Insurgent Threats

Al Shabaab’s persistent activity poses a significant hurdle to peace and stability within Somalia. Their ability to launch coordinated attacks, as seen in the assault on Beledweyne and overruns in Bal’ad, forces security agencies to continuously reassess and adapt their counterinsurgency strategies. The robust counterterrorism operations seen in March 2025 are a collective response by local forces, supported strongly by international partners. This multifaceted approach aims to neutralize the insurgency threat while simultaneously addressing its underlying socio-political dynamics.

Broader Implications for Regional Stability

The series of military events in 2025 in the Horn of Africa not only define tactical engagements but also have long-term strategic implications. The blend of multinational drills, diplomatic accords, and targeted counterinsurgency operations reflects a broader trend of integrated security planning. This paradigm of cooperation and flexibility is essential in facing the multi-dimensional threats present in the Horn. Furthermore, rising tensions on the fringes, such as those between Egypt and Ethiopia, underscore the interplay between military readiness and geopolitical maneuvering. Such dynamics are indicative of how security challenges and resource disputes often go hand in hand, influencing defense postures and regional alliances.