[KDF soldiers in Kismayu, Somalia. Photo/KNA]
The US is sending “dozens” of troops to Somalia to train and equip the Somali National Army and soldiers participating in the African Union Mission (AMISOM).
In an email to CNN, US Africa Command spokesperson, Charles Chuck Prichard, confirmed the deployment, saying the deployment of “a few dozen troops from the 101st Airborne Division” came “at the request and in close coordination with” the Somalia government.
“The objective of this particular train and equip mission is to improve the logistical capacity of the Somali National Army and the focus will be on teaching basic logistics operations, which will allow Somalia forces to better fight al Shabaab,” added Prichard, as reported by Fox6, newspaper.
The US soldiers will join the small number of US special operations forces in the country, in providing counter terrorism support to local forces that are battling the local al-Qaeda affiliate, Al-Shabaab terrorists. The advisory mission has been underway for several years.
In March 2017, US president Donald Trump granted additional authority to US Africa Command to conduct counter terrorism airstrikes against the terror group. However, Africa Command made it clear that there was no link between the two.
''It should be noted that this training was planned long before President Trump issued updated authorities related to Somalia,” the spokesperson added, Friday.
The new training effort comes even as the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) continue to traverse the neighbouring country under AMISOM, flushing out the terrorists who have been a threat to the country's security.
KDF was sent to Somalia in 2011, under 'Operation Linda Kenya'.