From VOA:
“Officials: Biden Approves
Redeployment of Some Ground Troops to Somalia”
(US forces host a range day with the
Danab Brigade in Somalia, May 9, 2021.)
U.S. President Joe Biden has
authorized the redeployment of several hundred American troops into Somalia,
two U.S. officials said on Monday, after Donald Trump ordered their withdrawal
during his presidency. Prior to Trump's withdrawal, the United States had about
700 troops in Somalia focused on helping local forces defeat the al
Qaida-linked al Shabab insurgency. "President Biden has approved a request
from the Secretary of Defense to reestablish a persistent U.S. military
presence in Somalia to enable a more effective fight against al Shabab," a
senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said. "This
is a repositioning of forces already in theater who have traveled in and out of
Somalia on an episodic basis since the previous administration made the
decision to withdraw," the official added.
Al Qaeda-linked insurgent group
al Shabab is seeking to topple the government and establish its own rule in
Somalia based on its strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Al Shabab
frequently carries out bombings in Mogadishu and elsewhere as part of its war
against the Horn of Africa country's central government. Somalia has endured
conflict and clan battles with no strong central government since the fall of
dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. The government has little control beyond
the capital and the African Union contingent guards in an Iraq-style
"Green Zone."
While the United States did not
have troops in Somalia since Trump ordered their withdrawal in December 2020,
the military has occasionally carried out strikes in the country and has had
troops in nearby countries.
^ I don’t know if this is a very
good idea. ^
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