Safety of Civilians Takes Priority in US Africa Command Operations in Somalia

MOGADISHU, (GO) - US Africa Command prioritizes civilian safety in Somalia operations, according to a military officer who spoke in an exclusive interview with NBC. The officer revealed that the army has turned down "many" drone strike requests by the Somali National Army [SNA], which is fighting to liberate strategic towns across the country.

The US Africa Command, African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and local militia have been key in SNA's strategic battles, making every component critical in the ongoing crackdown. Somalia activated an offensive against the Al-Shabaab since July 2022, when Hassan Sheikh Mohamud assumed power.

Although American soldiers have been redeployed to Somalia upon request by the Somali government, they do not participate directly in front lines. Instead, they watch ground operations through overhead drones. The command only activates drone strikes "in case of dangers during operations".

The soldier emphasized that "US turns down many drone strikes to avoid civilian casualties." The circumstances behind well-regulated drone strikes were also highlighted, despite frequent requests by the Somali government. The soldier explained, "One strike can make us win or lose the war. One bad strike can lead to severe consequences both to our partners and international community."

The Balidogle airfield, renamed the Hassan Mohamed Osman center, is a former USSR training base now home to thousands of Danab recruits. Intellectual capability and patriotism are the major requisite qualifications needed for someone to be admitted to the base, located in the volatile Lower Shabelle region.

IEDs are a major challenge for the Danab Special Forces, and the US has invested in IED training, mostly majoring in basic patrolling tips and detonation, to minimize soldier deaths. The training has yielded significant progress, and the number of Danab Special Forces has exponentially risen.

The US has recently started recruiting female corps within the Danab Special Forces, who are integrating well with their male counterparts. The program, which started four years ago, aims to expand the scope within which the Somalia military operates, giving women opportunities to participate in the ongoing war against Al-Shabaab.

Brigadier General Peter Bailey, in charge of US Africa Command logistics, strategy, and plans, noted that there is an urgent need for the international community to train more soldiers in the country to Danab level. This would provide the country with any meaningful chances of defeating Al-Shabaab militants.

With the multi-agency teams sustaining the war against Al-Shabaab, the militants have reverted to retaliatory attacks across the country, including killing livestock, burning crops, and vandalizing water wells. The group is well financed and spends an annual budget of close to $150 million, according to the United Nations.

The US has come up with a quarterly report on civilian casualties, which updates on airstrikes waged by the US Africa Command. Previously, there were cases of civilian deaths leading to an outcry from members of the right groups and the general public, leading to a reduction in airstrikes.

Larry Andre, the Somali ambassador to the federal republic of Somalia, emphasized that "this war is not about Americans". He encouraged citizens to join the war, stating that Al-Shabaab has been controlling central and southern Somalia, and the Somali soldiers are out full-blown to liberate their people and territory.

The government has been heavily relying on ATMIS troops, whose number is estimated at 20,000, and who are set to hand over security responsibilities to Somali forces by 2024. Local militia has significantly engineered the success against Al-Shabaab. They must now be integrated into the military to help Somalia fight Al-Shabaab effectively.

Souef Mohamed El-Amine, the representative of the AU commission in Somalia, noted that militia has heeded the calls by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who announced a "total war against Al-Shabaab. 

GAROWE ONLINE