US Africa Command: American troops safer in Somalia than Kenya

WASHINGTON, USA - 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 makes it difficult for them to effectively fight Al-Qaida linked group, the Al-Shabaab.

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Close to 700 US servicemen were withdrawn from Somalia in 2021 and repositioned in Kenya and Djibouti.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.

GAROWE ONLINE