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2022-03-22 Africa Horn
US Africa Command: American troops safer in Somalia than Kenya
[Garowe] General Stephen Townsend, the US Africa Command boss, says American troops are safer while operating from within Somalia than from Kenya, where they were repositioned to recently after withdrawal from the country.

Townsend, who appeared before the US Senate Committee on Armed Forces, said the withdrawal of US soldiers from Somalia by former President Donald Trump
...The tack in the backside of the Democratic Party...
makes it difficult for them to effectively fight al-Qaeda linked group, the al-Shabaab
...... the personification of Somali state failure...
He said the al-Shabaab, who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, are among the "fastest-growing, wealthiest, and deadliest terrorist groups". The group has been in existence since 2007.

The top general further noted the withdrawal, which then reduced the US troops to commuters into the war-torn country putting Americans in neighboring countries at risk, and that the combat was insufficient.

"My view is that our periodic engagement, also referred to as commuting to work, has caused new challenges and risks for our troops," said Townsend, a frequent visitor to both Kenya and Somalia.

"My assessment is that it is not effective, it’s not efficient, and it puts our troops at greater risk," added the commander, who has been in charge of the troops in Africa since 2019.

Close to 700 US servicemen were withdrawn from Somalia in 2021 and repositioned in Kenya and Djibouti. The soldiers were responsible for training Special Forces commonly known as Danab besides providing aerial surveillance during operations against al-Shabaab.

The troops played a key role in laying ambush on al-Shabaab camps. The troops were moved to neighboring countries including Kenya and Djibouti and were expected to carry out targeted counterterrorism operations.

Reports by The Wall Street Journal indicate that the United States is considering sending more troops to Somalia to help battle the al-Shabaab militia. The move is supported by the US Senate and Pentagon.

"We’re seeing this play out on the ground in Somalia as things get worse and al-Shabaab gains strength," stated Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma who opposed Trump's directive.

Kenya has been on the receiving end from the al-Shabaab group with the attack at the Garissa University and Dusit D2 complex being the worst success of the group on Kenyan soil.
Posted by trailing wife 2022-03-22 00:36|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ]  Top
 File under: al-Shabaab (AQ) 

#1 Why the hell are they in ANY country?

Get them the hell out of there!
Posted by Omomolet Phutch9064 2022-03-22 04:04||   2022-03-22 04:04|| Front Page Top

#2 No, it's not a 'Babylon Bee' article.

"My assessment is that it is not effective, it’s not efficient, and it puts our troops at greater risk," added the commander, who has been in charge of the troops in Africa since 2019.

Perhaps General Townsend is familiar with term...."African solutions for African problems" ?

Stay out of it.
Posted by Besoeker 2022-03-22 06:56||   2022-03-22 06:56|| Front Page Top

#3 Townsend-Ji, Do Not Mess With Shabab! For Shabab is invincible when he brings his Fearsome Cricket Bat
شپی شباروره دیرخیسته ویده
Posted by Sheamble Chaique6600 2022-03-22 07:10||   2022-03-22 07:10|| Front Page Top

#4 And HQ, AFRICOM, is safer in Stuttgart than....
Posted by DooDahMan 2022-03-22 07:33||   2022-03-22 07:33|| Front Page Top

#5 
In memory of Oct. 3rd and 4th 1993 Mogadishu, Somalia.

BTW: Heard a rumor "Aidid's" head was "acquired" by the Red-Roof group and preserved?
Posted by NN2N1 2022-03-22 08:14||   2022-03-22 08:14|| Front Page Top

#6 Kenyan soldiers killed in Somalia: The shroud of secrecy
Posted by Skidmark 2022-03-22 08:55||   2022-03-22 08:55|| Front Page Top

#7 Goddammit why can't these generals just tell the truth? That the troops are out of their depth in this absolute shithole and there is no need to stay and train anybody.
Posted by Dron66046 2022-03-22 11:18||   2022-03-22 11:18|| Front Page Top

#8 But Dron, since Trump pulled our guys out of Somalia, it's a point of honor for the current crew to send them back in.
Posted by Matt 2022-03-22 11:43||   2022-03-22 11:43|| Front Page Top

#9 Harakat al-Islah [Moslem Brotherhood branch] in Somalia funded and closely supported the initial activities and legal protections to the Ḥarakat ash-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn [Al-Shaboobs]. Al-islah was the pious, moderate law faring face of the shaboobs. They entered Somalia to 'further modern education and democratic values' back when George 'W' was mumbling 'Islam is Peace' in the islamic centre at DC. In 2006, al-Islah formed the Damul jadiid which began to aggressively convert and radicalize the population, seeking out the sociopaths and criminals and arming them. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's Peace and Development party [another Moslem brotherhood gift] had gained traction in local polls and many Jadiid lackeys were appointed to important positions in law enforcement, administration, justice, home policy. Meanwhile under the brigand clans, pirates and outliers of all sorts were incorporated into what became the Al-Shabab.
Posted by Dron66046 2022-03-22 12:10||   2022-03-22 12:10|| Front Page Top

#10 * Meanwhile under the Jadiid's helpful eye, brigand clans, pirates and outliers of all sorts were incorporated into what became the Al-Shabab.


Just thought I'd share. Surely there's lessons there. We learned, for example, to not let words like 'islam' and 'education' or 'progress' or 'development' be juxtaposed for us by clever rascals. Keep the eye-slam to an emasculated, pitiable, scurrying minority and things will be fine.
Posted by Dron66046 2022-03-22 12:14||   2022-03-22 12:14|| Front Page Top

#11 As usual, Dron, reading your posts is an education.
Posted by Matt 2022-03-22 12:41||   2022-03-22 12:41|| Front Page Top

13:41 NoMoreBS
13:39 Abu Uluque
13:36 mossomo
13:36 swksvolFF
13:32 mossomo
13:26 Frank G
13:12 Regular joe
13:12 mossomo
13:11 swksvolFF
13:08 Abu Uluque
13:00 swksvolFF
12:59 Regular joe
12:55 Skidmark
12:53 Skidmark
12:52 Abu Uluque
12:50 Abu Uluque
12:49 Skidmark
12:48 NN2N1
12:46 Skidmark
12:44 Bobby
12:43 Abu Uluque
12:41 Bobby
12:38 Skidmark
12:31 swksvolFF









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