US military pledges support in Al-Shabaab crackdown

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior US army commander has emphasized Washington's commitment to the fight against Al-Shabaab, noting that terrorism in East Africa is a major challenge that the world will not 'just sit and watch'.

Col. David Haskell, the Joint Special Operations commander, said the United States will double effort in dealing with Al-Shabaab militants, who have wreaked havoc for the last 18 years within Somalia and the neighboring Republic of Kenya.

In a meeting with Jubaland regional leader Ahmed Madobe, Haskell thanked regional forces for working closely with the Somali National Army and other special forces that are deployed on the frontlines.

Madobe said the meeting also focused on recent efforts to liberate several strategic areas from the Al-Shabaab, adding that they also discussed assistance to locals to resettle after years of Al-Shabaab dominance.

"I had a productive engagement with Commander of the joint special operations in East Africa, Colonel David Haskell who called on me at the statehouse today," Madobe noted on X (formerly Twitter).

"We discussed the recent renewed efforts culminating in the successful liberation of new areas by the gallant Jubaland security forces and urged the US government to help the Somali people in eradicating the Khawarijis."

The US deployed close to 500 special operations teams to Somalia recently moments after their unprecedented exit during the reign of Donald Trump. The Senate called for redeployment after Somalia expressed concerns about Al-Shabaab's resurgence.

The US Africa Command has been fighting alongside the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the Somali National Army (SNA). For the last two years, the military teams have managed to make significant advances against Al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE