[ad_1]
The US force has been in the area for 13 years. It involves some 700 soldiers based in Kenya and Djibouti, entering Somalia and carrying out shorter counter-terrorism missions against the al-Qaeda al-Shabaab-linked militia group and a smaller force belonging to the Islamic State, reports the Wall Street Journal.
In a statement sent to members of Congress, the Pentagon said that the US objective in Somalia has not changed, despite the withdrawal of troops.
“We will continue to bring down violent extremist organizations that could threaten our homeland while ensuring we maintain our strategic advantage in a fierce competition for power.”
Mission in Somalia It has not received much attention in the United States, but is considered a cornerstone of the Pentagon’s fight against al-Qaeda, writes Reuters.
However, the Pentagon claims that the United States will continue to have the ability to conduct targeted counterterrorism operations in Somalia and pick up signals of threats against the United States. Some forces can be transferred to neighboring countries and used for operations within Somalia.
The remaining soldiers will be based in the capital, Mogadishu, a US military official told Reuters.
Mid november The Pentagon announced that it would withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq before Trump leaves the presidency.
In Afghanistan, the number of soldiers will be reduced from 2,000 to 2,500 and in Iraq from 500 to 2,500. The troop withdrawal will be ready on January 15.
Read more:
The United States withdraws troops from Afghanistan and Iraq.
Secretary of Defense: US withdrawal could affect other countries’ efforts
