US military targets al-Shabaab again in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia |For the second time in two days, the US military has targeted Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, showing signs of helping the country progress, just over eight months after the nation’s unprecedented withdrawal from the Horn of Africa.
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On Tuesday, the U.S. Africa Command launched a deadly airstrike in Somalia in an attempt to assist Danab’s special forces. They were fighting the militants in the northern town of Galkayo. Special forces have been carrying out operations for a few months.
Galmadug state in central Somalia has been a major target for the military, which is keen to eradicate the threat from Al-Shabaab, which has grown over the years. The United States is a major security partner for Somalia, which is struggling to build its military.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told VOA and other reporters traveling on a US military plane with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that Friday’s strike was carried out in support of the forces. Somali near the village of Qeycad. He said the strike was authorized by the powers granted by the 2001 authorization for the use of military force.
Kirby added that, just like with the previous airstrike, US troops were not on the ground with Somali forces but were conducting a remote advisory and assistance mission. No additional information was provided due to “operational security”.
In a statement issued Friday, the Somali federal government said the precision airstrike “destroyed al-Shabab fighters and weapons without causing civilian casualties.”
“Al-Shabab’s tactics are no match for Danab[Somali special forces]and its partners, ”the statement added, further describing the strike as having a“ crippling ”impact on al-Shabab fighters.
The resumption of US airstrikes against al-Shabab comes as military and intelligence officials in the US and around the world warn of a growing threat from the al-Qaida-linked group. There were plans to redeploy the military to the Horn of Africa country, but the Defense Ministry has yet to issue a clear indication.
AFRICOM Commander General Stephen Townsend told a virtual defense forum late last month that the spread of terrorism “has continued relatively unabated” across Africa. He identified al-Shabab as a major concern.
“We see threats in Somalia for regional stability,” he said. “We even see threats against the homeland of the United States.”
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These concerns are echoed by intelligence agencies in other countries and UN observers, who warned in a report released Friday that al-Shabab had successfully exploited a security vacuum created by the departure of US troops and a partial withdrawal of the African Union mission in Somalia. .
In the center and south of the country, al-Shabab “encountered little resistance to seize several towns … in areas that were previously hostile,” according to the report.
Intelligence from UN member states has also warned that al-Shabab, already able to boast of having 10,000 fighters under its command, is acquiring more advanced military capabilities.
The group “has dramatically increased its use of drones to conduct reconnaissance overflights and record the activities of the security forces,” the report said, warning that al-Shabab may soon start arming drones as well.
Some intelligence agencies have expressed concern that drones could be used to supplement al-Shabab’s portable air defense systems in potential attacks on low-flying planes and aviation infrastructure along the border with the United States. Kenya. The area served as a critical corridor for humanitarian flights and commercial aircraft.
Earlier this year, some Somalis expressed concern that the pause in US airstrikes was serving to embolden al-Shabab, allowing key leaders to come out of hiding and their fighters to crowd in greater numbers without fear. .
AXADLETM
