Attacking terrorist targets in Africa is not a new trend, in fact a secret order (known as the al-Qaeda EXORD) dating back to 2003 authorized lethal action by JSOC forces against al-Qaeda in Algeria, Mali, Nigeria, and Somalia and Syria so long as JSOC forces sought the tacit approval from the country involved or at least a sign-off from higher up on the American chain of command.
FORBES: Terrorist Safe Havens in North Africa Threaten the United States Homeland