US pays tribute to victims of Al-Shabaab attack in Manda Airfield

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MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United States of America army serving in Africa has paid tribute to three US citizens among them one serviceman who lost their lives in an Al-Shabaab attack at Manda Airfield along the coastal strip of Kenya, which occurred on Jan 5, 2020.

The attack, which remains the only successful raid by Al-Shabaab on a US army camp, raided questions about the preparedness of the military to defeat Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaida-linked group that has a huge presence in Somalia and parts of the Republic of Kenya.

While acknowledging the sacrifice of the three victims, the US Africa Command maintained that it will continue to help partners in East Africa in the fight against Al-Shabaab, adding that the group remains relatively dangerous in the country and across the borders.

"Today, we honor the selfless service and sacrifice of US Army Spc. Henry “Mitch” Mayfield, Jr., Mr. Bruce Triplett, and Mr. Dustin Harrison, who gave their lives during the attack on Manda Bay Airfield on Jan. 5, 2020," read a tweet by the US Africa Command, which is under the stewardship of Gen. Stephen Townsend.

"The U.S. and our international partners remain engaged against Al-Shabaab and other violent extremist organizations for the security of Africa, the U.S., and the international community," the command added.

The anniversary comes amid the ongoing withdrawal of the US troops from Somalia after several decades of stay. While noting the decision to leave Somalia, the Department of Defense confirmed that the troops, however, will be repositioned elsewhere within the East Africa region.

Al-Shabaab swore allegiance to the Al-Qaida, a terror network whose leader Osman bin Laden was killed by America's Navy Seals in 2012, in 2010. The group started fighting in Somalia in 2008 and since then, it has targeted thousands of innocent civilians and security forces in the country.

The Manda Airfield raid targeted American troops serving in Kenya and the attackers left three American citizens dead. Since then, the US and East Africa partners have intensified the crackdown against Al-Shabaab, which is the main ally of Al-Qaida in the East Africa region.

The Al-Shabaab attackers in Manda Airfield identified by their leader Ahmed Omar include Moulana Faruq Moulana, Ahmed Al-Muhajir, Cmdr (Yemen), Abubakar Al-Muhajir (Tanzania), Ali Muhammad Ali, Qudama Al-Muhajir (Ethiopia), and Abdulwali Muhammad Ibrahim “Moallim Omar” and Adam Iman Yusuf, Abdulkareem who are both Somalis.

Both Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaida have struggled in recent months with internal cracks and dwindling financial fortunes being the major cause. Also, the groups have lost several fighters in major security operations carried out by the multi-agency teams across the world.

GAROWE ONLINE

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