The official told reporters on Monday that the US would deploy US forces to East Africa and would proceed to restore US military presence in Somalia in consultation with the Somali government. The official said “less than 500” soldiers would be sent back to the country, but declined to provide exact numbers. However, he insisted that the Pentagon would not “restore the full contingent of operators previously present in Somalia”, a return to the previous administration, which had approximately 750 military personnel.
The official described the withdrawal of the Trump administration as “sudden and abrupt” and said al-Shabaab has “unfortunately only gotten stronger”.
“We have seen regrettably clear evidence that al-Shabaab has the intent and ability to target Americans,” the official said. In Kenya in early 2020.
Referring to the Trump administration’s decision, the official said, “It is a move that rationalizes an irrational system we have inherited.” “It was irrational because it posed unnecessary and high risk to American forces as they moved in and out of the country on a rotational basis, and it paid us less to take that risk because it affected their efficacy and the stability of their work.” Was interrupted. With partners. ”
Officials would not confirm whether Biden had authorized the targeted attacks against specific al-Shabaab leaders, but said the US military presence in Somalia is “not the only component” of America’s counter-terrorism strategy.