Fact check: Did Biden bomb somalia, Syria, Iraq and Yemen?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there is partial evidence supporting the claim that Biden bombed some of these countries, but the picture is incomplete and varies significantly by country:

Somalia: The strongest evidence exists for US military action in Somalia under Biden. US air strikes in Somalia increased by 30% in 2022, with 15 air strikes conducted against al-Shabab, killing at least 107 fighters ^[1]. Biden also sent hundreds of US troops back to Somalia to help counter al-Shabab extremists ^[2]. However, more recent strikes appear to be conducted under the Trump administration, with operations targeting ISIS-Somalia in February 2025 ^[3] and al-Shabaab in March 2025 ^[4].

Yemen: There is evidence of US military involvement in Yemen, including joint US-British airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels ^[5]. The analyses mention US military airstrikes against Houthi rebels, suggesting Biden's administration has been involved in military actions in Yemen ^[5].

Syria and Iraq: The analyses provide no direct evidence of Biden bombing Syria or Iraq. Recent sources discuss various conflicts in these regions, including Israeli attacks on southern Syria ^[6] and Iranian attacks on US bases in Iraq ^[7], but none specifically mention Biden-ordered bombings of these countries.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the continuity of US military operations across different administrations. The analyses reveal that US military actions in Somalia, for example, have been ongoing across multiple presidencies, with the rate of air strikes doubling under Trump ^[8]. This suggests that military operations in these regions are part of broader, long-term US foreign policy strategies rather than initiatives unique to Biden.

Key missing context includes:

• The legal framework under which these operations occur - many appear to be conducted at the request of partner governments, such as the Somali federal government ^[4]
• The distinction between different types of military action - the question uses "bombing" broadly, but the evidence shows various forms of military engagement including troop deployments, targeted airstrikes against specific terrorist groups, and counter-terrorism operations
• The geopolitical rationale - operations appear focused on countering specific terrorist organizations like al-Shabab, ISIS-Somalia, and Houthi rebels rather than state-to-state warfare

Alternative viewpoints that benefit from different narratives:

• Anti-war activists and progressive Democrats benefit from portraying Biden as continuing aggressive military policies
• Defense contractors and military establishment benefit from justifying continued operations as necessary counter-terrorism measures
• Regional allies like the Somali government benefit from framing US involvement as legitimate assistance against extremist groups

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains several potential sources of bias:

Oversimplification: The question uses the broad term "bombing" without distinguishing between different types of military operations, targeted counter-terrorism strikes, and full-scale bombing campaigns. The evidence shows most operations are targeted strikes against specific terrorist organizations rather than indiscriminate bombing ^{[1] [3]}.

Lack of temporal specificity: The question doesn't specify timeframes, leading to confusion about which operations occurred under Biden versus other administrations. The analyses show military operations in these regions span multiple presidencies ^[8].

Missing legal and operational context: The question implies these actions may be unauthorized or illegitimate, but the evidence suggests many operations occur at the request of partner governments and target internationally recognized terrorist organizations ^[4].

Incomplete scope: By focusing only on these four countries, the question may be cherry-picking to create a narrative while ignoring the broader context of US counter-terrorism operations globally and the legal frameworks under which they operate.

The question appears designed to elicit a simple yes/no answer to a complex geopolitical situation that involves ongoing counter-terrorism operations, international partnerships, and legal authorizations that span multiple administrations.