President Donald Trump departs O’Hare International Airport after speaking at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference and Exposition, Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Mogadishu (AX)
On a Sunday that could be remembered as telling of international affairs, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his unwavering support towards Somalia against the rising Houthi movement. In a rather bold proclamation, he declared that American forces now possess enhanced capabilities to swiftly handle any looming terrorist threats. This confidence, as per Trump, is the aftermath of “dangerous red tape” being dispelled—an assertion pointing squarely at the previous Biden administration.
“Time for the terrorists to hide, but it won’t do them any good,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Our Warfighters, the Greatest the World has ever seen, will find them, and bring them to swift Justice.”
The President’s words were seen as an unyielding signal to the Houthis—an Iran-supported outfit notorious for its maritime threats in the Red Sea. Trump was explicit about thwarting their attempts to burrow into Somalia. “We will support the Somali People, who should not allow the Houthis to embed (which they are trying to do!), to end terrorism, and bring prosperity to their Country,” he remarked.
In another nod to his team, Trump lauded Gen. Daniel Caine, the newly appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Under Caine’s belt was a claimed victory – the decimation of ISIS within three weeks during Trump’s initial tenure. Trump emphasized, “I just got rid of Joe Biden’s dangerous red tape, and empowered our Warfighters, once again.”
Trump’s posturing stems from growing concerns over an escalated nexus between the Houthis and Somali militant entities, like al-Shabaab and the Somalia-based Islamic State. An insight from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, alongside the Institute for the Study of War, paints a picture of heightened cooperation. Houthis, it seems, are in a strategic dance, coordinating logistics and even smuggling advanced weaponry to Somali militants—a scenario that augments instability in an already volatile Horn of Africa.
For years, the U.S. saw Somalia as a pivotal figure in counterterrorism efforts. Airstrikes, trainings—a gamut of strategies to aid Somali forces against al-Shabaab and ISIS. Yet, the scenario feels oddly reminiscent of a pirates’ tale; piracy has reared its head once more off the Horn of Africa. Over twenty hijack attempts have recently been reported. The uptick correlates with waning international patrols, coincidentally when Houthi aggression looms in the Red Sea.
As a countermeasure, the United Nations Security Council has revisited its directives. Now, countries are authorized to intercept unauthorized arms shipments circulating within Somalia.
In what might become a pivotal turn in international alignments, a letter surfaced last month. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud seemingly extended an olive branch, with intriguing notes scribbled in ink. The gesturing letter, shared with the Associated Press, proffered “exclusive operational control” to the U.S. over significant bases and ports—a proposal to invigorate American engagement in this intricate geopolitical chess game.
While the Somali Foreign Ministry didn’t deny the letter’s veracity, they have remained mum on its dispatch status. Questions linger. Has the letter safely crossed borders? What narratives can it potentially craft?
