On February 24th, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) carried out airstrikes near Beledweyne, Somalia, wiping out at least 32 al-Shabaab fighters. The airstrikes targeted the Islamist fighters as they traveled between locations in a rural area of the Hiran region. The U.S. regularly utilizes airstrikes in Somalia as a means to support the fragile Somali government, which has been struggling against the al-Shabaab insurgency for years.
According to U.S. AFRICOM’s Twitter account, “To support the federal government of Somalia’s continued efforts to degrade al-Shabaab, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike approximately 23 miles east of Beledweyne, Hiran Region, Somalia, on February 24, 2019.”
This attack comes after al-Shabaab declared on February 15th that it had ordered a mortar attack on the Baledogle Airfield that killed U.S. and Somali forces. The radical militants issued a statement claiming they had killed three American soldiers and five Somali members of the Danab (Lightning) Advanced Infantry Battalion.
U.S. and Somali forces have planned a number of precision strikes to suppress the violence and support the Somali government’s foothold in the country. Although these targeted strikes have risen in frequency, it is uncertain what lasting impact, if any, the strikes are having on the militant group.
Al-Shabaab is known to have a strong following in the rural parts of Somalia, making it more difficult for the U.S. to strike a decisive blow to the group or diminish their recruiting efforts. Some also speculate that al-Shabaab is being supplied by an outside entity with money and weapons to keep the insurgency going.
The radical group has shown no signs of weakening despite the persistent claims that each of these airstrikes kills high numbers of insurgents. With community support and outsider involvement, al-Shabaab will continue their war regardless of the risks.
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Oh yeah, and the joint US-UK naval exercises in the South China sea, and the US-Taliban talks in Qatar? All in the same 72 hours or so togowiththat other stuff?
Not the best week for African headlines man, but I want you to know I feel you on the African beat and Im following. 32, 35 whatever. More Shabaab dead. Good news.
In the US primetime left and right wing news outlets tonight, nothing except the meaningless
US congress vauedeville act going to be discussed.
But know that at least somebody cares about Africa.
Just dropping in to let you know that somebody is actually reading this stuff. But as usual – it’s Africa. 32 Shabaab killed in an airstrike? On the same weekend that India and Pakistan decided to ramp up the war, Trump is meeting with the little guy in Hanoi about nuclear weapons, Venezuela is in the throes of regime change (which Russia, China and Iran/Hezbollah are not happy about), and the Army is building a dilithium core reactor?
and oh yeah, the Cohen congressional circus side show distraction for the entire American MSM?
Not the ideal weekend for Africa headlines to percolate to the top. carry on.
The headline made me feel all warm inside.