WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th November, 2018) The United States will withdraw hundreds of troops conducting counterterrorism missions in Africa as part of its effort to refocus the US military on the threats posed by Russia and China, the Pentagon said in a press release on Thursday.
"The Department of Defense announced today the realignment of Counter-Violent Extremist Organization personnel operating in US Africa Command to support priorities outlined in the National Defense Strategy," the release said. "Over the next several years, the realignment projects a reduction of less than 10 percent of the 7,200 military forces serving in Africa Command."
Pentagon spokesperson Candice Tresch noted in a separate statement the new strategy seeks to "prioritize efforts and resources for long-term competition with China and Russia, and build a more lethal force for major combat."
Tresch said the redeployment would not hurt counter-terrorism efforts in Africa, where US troops are assisting local governments such as Somalia, Libya and Niger to combat a wide array of terror organizations, including Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group terrorist groups (both banned in Russia).
"However, we will realign our counter-terrorism resources and forces operating in Africa over the next several years in order to maintain a competitive posture worldwide," Trech said.
In January, US President Donald Trump's administration unveiled a new National Defense Strategy that seeks to revamp the US military to counter growing threats from Russia and China.
