- The renewed military action comes amid diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja
- From Somalia to Nigeria, these threats are interconnected,” Brennan said
- According to him, Washington is focusing on working closely with regional partners to dismantle terrorist networks
The United States has intensified its air campaign against Al-Shabaab and Islamic State (IS) fighters in Somalia, stepping up military operations in the Horn of Africa in the early weeks of the year.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), American forces have carried out 23 air strikes in Somalia since January 1.
EDITOR’S PICK
- ADC Requests INEC Postpone FCT Area Council Elections
- Tope Alabi Welcomes Grandchild
- CBN to Introduce New Policy to Regulate Debit Card Issuance, ATM Operations
The strikes are part of Washington’s long-running counter-terrorism operations in the region, which date back to the mid-2000s when Al-Shabaab first emerged.
AFRICOM spokesperson, Major Mahalia Frost, said the increase in strikes reflects a broader push by the US to weaken Islamic State-linked groups across Africa. She noted that the renewed offensive also included air strikes carried out on Christmas Day in Nigeria.
Speaking on the sidelines of a recent US-Nigeria security meeting in Abuja, AFRICOM Commander, Lieutenant General John Brennan, said the US had become more aggressive over the past year in targeting extremist groups, particularly those affiliated with Islamic State.
According to him, Washington is focusing on working closely with regional partners to dismantle terrorist networks through direct military action, intelligence sharing and logistical support.
“From Somalia to Nigeria, these threats are interconnected,” Brennan said, adding that the US was committed to providing African partners with intelligence, equipment and operational flexibility to improve their effectiveness.
Following recent strikes in Nigeria on targets linked to the Islamic State Sahel Province, the Pentagon also pledged deeper intelligence cooperation with Nigerian security agencies.
Frost confirmed that the latest round of air operations in Somalia targeted both Islamic State elements and Al-Shabaab fighters.
Records from US think tank New America show that air strikes in Somalia rose sharply under former President Donald Trump.
During his first term, Trump authorised 219 strikes and ground operations, compared to 48 under former President Barack Obama over eight years. So far in his second term, Trump has approved at least 143 strikes, according to the same data.
The renewed military action comes amid diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja, following claims by Trump last year that violence in Nigeria amounted to persecution of Christians, a position strongly rejected by the Nigerian government and independent analysts.
Despite the diplomatic disagreements, both the US and Nigerian military authorities have signalled stronger cooperation on security matters.
Somalia has also faced diplomatic pressure, with the US recently suspending humanitarian aid to the country.
Earlier this month, Somali authorities announced that a senior Al-Shabaab commander, Abdullahi Osman Mohamed Abukar, was killed during a joint operation involving US forces.
FURTHER READING
