U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, meets with troops assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Nov. 3, 2019, on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. (Photo: Senior Airman Codie Trimble/ Air Force)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON DC – PENTAGON – Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend expressed concerns that the pullout of U.S. troops from Somalia has made it more difficult to counter terror groups that could threaten American interests. President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of nearly all US troops from Somalia during his final days in office. The US had about 700 troops in the country helping local forces battle al-Shabab and Islamic State militants. Gen. Townsend, who heads U.S. Africa Command, made his concerns known during this month’s annual Senate Armed Armed Services Committee posture hearings on security challenges in Africa.
Gen. Townsend has called Al-Shabab a primary enemy in Somalia and “the largest and most kinetically active al Qaeda network in the world.”
Ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Armed Services Committee Sen. Jim Inhofe called on the Pentagon to consider re-deploying U.S. troops to Somalia to counter the sharp rise in extremist activity by al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab terrorist group. Sen. Inhofe questioned witnesses at the annual posture hearing for United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and United States Central Command (CENTCOM). The Republican Senator strongly advocates for an “enduring” U.S. troop presence in Somalia.
Concerns Over Lack of U.S. Troops present in Somalia and OVER THE HORIZON Counter-terrorism Strategy
“I opposed the last administration’s decision to pull nearly all of our troops out of Somalia and move them to Djibouti and Kenya and pursue an over the horizon counter-terrorism strategy that increases risk and decreases our effectiveness. We’re seeing this play out on the ground in Somalia as things get worse and Al Shabab gains in strength.”
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)
Townsend, the top U.S. general for the African region, said most of the U.S. troops that left Somalia were repositioned to other nearby countries such as Kenya and Djibouti and have continued to conduct “Over-The-Horizon” operations inside Somalia. Townsend told senators that conducting counterterrorism operations with so-called over the horizon forces moving in and out of the region makes it more difficult than if there were permanent boots on the ground in Somalia.
Pentagon Chief To Continue Working With AFRICOM Commander Townsend Regarding Concerns
During the Senate Armed Armed Services Committee, Army Gen. Townsend told members that he has submitted “advice” to his “chain of Command” which would include the Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Gen. Townsend said his chain of command is considering that advice.
When asked about Gen. Townsend’s concerns and his advice regarding the defense posture in Somalia, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said:
“I’m not going to get ahead of decisions the Secretary has or has not made or advice that he’s going to give to the Commander in Chief with respect to our force posture in Africa. Clearly, General Townsend is — was honestly speaking about a continued threat from terrorist groups in Africa. And we’re mindful of that. And we’re going to continue to work with General Townsend and our partners on the continent to adjust posture as necessary. I don’t have anything to speak to today, no announcements to make. But it’s not a threat that we’re taking lightly, or that we’re going to ignore. Again, I don’t want to get ahead of it.”
-John Kirby
Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times / Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon in Washington DC Mar. 22, 2022.
The AFRICOM chief said deadly terrorism has metastasized to Africa.
Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, Commander, U.S. Africa Command provides testimony the Senate Armed Services Apr. 22, 2021 Washington D.C. (Photo U.S. Africa Command)
Gen. Stephen Townsend said “deadly terrorism has metastasized” to Africa. Those threats include terrorist groups al-Qaida and al-Shabab in East Africa and al-Qaida and ISIS in West Africa and elsewhere, the Army general said.
Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Is The Only Permanent U.S. Military Base in Africa
Camp Lemonnier is a United States Naval Expeditionary Base, situated next to Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport in Djibouti City (Wikipedia Commons)
Camp Lemonnier is a United States Naval Expeditionary Base, situated next to Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport in Djibouti City, and home to the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) of the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM). It is the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa. “While the eyes of the world are on Ukraine, the U.S. is also keeping focused on hidden conflicts against jihadists in Africa, where at least 18 different terrorist organizations are operating. Thousands of Americans are stationed at Camp Lemonnier in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti. -CBS report.
