US to redeploy troops to Somalia to prevent Al-Shabaab takeover

The move comes just six months after the Trump administration has pulled hundreds of American soldiers out of Somalia.

News Keydmedia Online
30 June 2021

WASHINGTON, US - Biden administration is now planning to send U.S. combat forces back to Somalia to resume the counter-terrorism operations in the horn of Africa country.

The redeployment comes six months after Trump abruptly withdrew an estimated 700 American special soldiers from Somalia, a move that gave the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab to make a surprising comeback.

Gen. Stephen Townsend, the chief of the United States Africa Command [AFRICOM] said he has informed the Pentagon on Tuesday that it was time for the defense ministry to make a final decision.

The US forces, Townsend said will recommence providing training, advice, and assistance to Somali forces as well as the African Union troops fighting Al-Shabaab on the ground for more than a decade.

Around 700 troops were stationed in Somalia before Trump's exit order, who trained and equipped the Danab brigade, a special SNA unit capable of carrying out covert operations inside Al-Shabaab bases.

Since Biden assumed office in January, the US military has suspended the drone strikes against Al-Shabaab in Somalia and the troops were repositioned to neighboring countries, mainly Kenya and Djibouti.

The Somali government has described the decision as "extremely regrettable", says the Americans have made a "huge contribution" to the training and operational effectiveness of Somali national army troops.

KEYDMEDIA English