US Assures Somalia Of Support In War Against Al-Shabaab and ISIS

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Special Forces from the US Africa Command have flocked back to the federal republic of Somalia, a top official confirmed on Monday, just weeks after President Joe Biden promised to have the soldiers back for the assistance in the Al-Shabaab and ISIS war.

Although it's not clear the number of soldiers who have since arrived, the Pentagon had confirmed that close to 500 troops would be back in the country following a series of terror attacks months after the unceremonious exit of the special contingent from the country.

During a press conference with journalists in Mogadishu on Monday, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland insisted that the role of the soldiers is to "train, support and equip Somali National Army and the AU forces" in the country.

President Donald Trump had withdrawn the soldiers in 2021 over what he termed as a "cost-saving exercise" but cases of Al-Shabaab attacks have since started increasing in the country. This, she said, motivated the administration of Biden to redeploy the troops to Somalia.

While meeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the US top minister said Washington will support his security, reconciliation, and reform agenda. "The Under Secretary also expressed continued U.S. support for Somali and African Union-led counterterrorism efforts," State Department noted.

Besides the ever-compromised security in the country, the US also noted matters humanitarian in the country, following persistent drought which has caused massive loss of lives and displacement of people, particularly women and children.

"As Somalia faces devastating drought and food insecurity conditions, Under Secretary Nuland held a round table with Special Envoy for Drought Response Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame and UN agencies in Somalia including the Food and Agriculture Organization, UNICEF, and World Food Program," read the statement.

"The Under Secretary noted current U.S. government plans to provide urgently needed food, famine prevention, and other humanitarian assistance for Somalia as part of nearly $105 million in new humanitarian aid for the Horn of Africa."

For over a month, the country has experienced relative stability following the change of leadership but Al-Shabaab's menace seems to antagonize the country. Sheikh Mohamud took over from Farmajo who is accused of fostering impunity and instability in Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE