Journal Article

Examining the Legitimacy of the Use of Drones By the US against Terrorism: Case Study of Somalia, 2013-2023

Rapanyane, Makhura B., Mabele, Lindeni M.

2025

Overview

This paper examines the legitimacy of the use of drones by the United States (US) against terrorism in Somalia. Terrorism is now regarded as the main challenge to global security in the twenty-first century. The paper focuses on the effectiveness of drones in combatting terrorism in Somalia and determines the compliance of drones with the principles of jus ad bellum and jus in bello. It further investigates the implications of drone strikes on Somalia’s civilian population. The paper provides additional insights on the problems that Somalia faces in real life, such as Al-Shabaab’s objective in Somalia to destroy societal order to make the country unruly and keep Somalia under its dominion. Theoretically, realism was adopted as the guiding theory in this paper as it offers a better comprehension of the use of drones by the US; by understanding that states are rational actors, and they will do anything for their survival. A qualitative research method in the form of a document review was adopted to achieve the objectives of the paper. The paper concludes that while the US’s use of drones to counter Al-Shabaab in Somalia has yielded some favourable results, it has not necessarily put an end to the country’s armed conflict. Thus, to defeat Al-Shabaab and reduce the adverse effects of drones on the local populace, the US and Somalia must seek out alternative approaches.

• Publisher: Adonis & Abbey Publishers,Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd
• Subject: Al-Shabaab / Alternative approaches / Case studies / Comprehension / Drones / International security / Jus ad bellum / Jus in Bello / Legitimacy / Qualitative research / Realism / Research methodology / Side effects / Somalia / Terrorism