Lack of US airstrikes in Somalia rejuvenates Al-Shabaab militants
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Senior Somali officials have expressed concern over the lack of US airstrikes in the Horn of Africa, arguing that the movement allows al-Shabaab to expand territories in the country at the expense of civilians fighting insecurity.
Ever since President Joe Biden took office on January 20, the US-African Command has yet to carry out air strikes on al-Qaeda-linked militants, or at least the drone hits areas that are not as frequent as under Donald Trump’s regime.
The Pentagon withdrew 700 U.S. troops who had served in Somalia earlier this year, and the majority of them now work in Djibouti and Kenya. This is a strategy devised by Trump as a way to save money, according to Pentagon reports.
But Somalia officials are concerned that if the Allies do not fail to launch air strikes against Al-Shabaab, the country could lose the battle at the critical stage and further destroy gains gained over the years. The air strikes give combat troops required reinforcement during operations.
“Lack of strikes means al-Shabab leaders will come out of hiding,” a senior Somali military commander, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the subject, told VOA’s Somali service.
“They want to bring their tanks out. They mount large cannons on top of vehicles again. They will start gathering in large numbers again, ”he said. “It would be detrimental not only to Somalia’s security but to the region if al-Shabab were given the freedom to move around.”
Recent US intelligence estimates indicate al-Shabab commands as many as 10,000 fighters over Somalia and parts of Kenya. And despite consistent pressure against terrorism, officials concluded in the latter half of 2020 that the group began to show that it functioned without fear.
“The terrorist threat in East Africa will not be broken down,” the US Department of Defense inspector general warned in a November report. “Al-Shabab maintains free movement in many parts of southern Somalia and has demonstrated an ability and intent to attack outside the country, including targeting US interests.”
These trends are what make Somali officials feel increasingly uneasy, especially given the developments on the ground.
“In the current political situation, where our security forces are being diverted to electoral security and political tasks, this is again a blessing for al-Shabab,” said Samira Gaid, who served as senior security adviser to former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire. .
“The airstrikes changed their tactics and operation and kept the pressure on them when Somali forces and AMISOM [the African Union Mission in Somalia] does not perform regular surgeries, ”she said.
Somalia is eager to get its partners to carry out the airstrikes. This is manifested in the recent remarks of SNA chief Yusuf Rageh Odowaa, who said that it is practically impossible to smash Al-Shabaab without air assistance.
“These strikes are an important part of our fight against an enemy who has shown no hesitation in terrorizing innocent Somali citizens through oppression, extortion and murder,” Raage said.
On Monday, however, SNA radio reported the killings of over 25 Al-Shabaab militants and wounded at least 15 between Bal’ad and Afgoye by airstrikes. It is not clear whether the air strike was released by the US military or the African Union mission forces.
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