The United States plans to reduce its military presence in Somalia and cut the number of airstrikes against Al-Shabaab militants, who have sworn allegiance to the al-Qaeda terror group (banned in Russia), media reported citing senior US officials
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 05th January, 2019) The United States plans to reduce its military presence in Somalia and cut the number of airstrikes against Al-Shabaab militants, who have sworn allegiance to the al-Qaeda terror group (banned in Russia), media reported citing senior US officials.
The US administration assessed Al-Shabaab insurgents as not posing a direct threat to Washington, while still being a menace to the Somali government and neighboring states, the NBC broadcaster reported on Friday, citing officials.
In contrast, US Defense Department spokesperson Navy Cmdr. Candice Tresch did not confirm this information.
"There have been no recent policy changes regarding U.S. operations in Somalia. We continue to support the Federal Government of Somalia's efforts to degrade al Shabab," Tresch's statement read as quoted by NBC.
Somalia has been engulfed in violence since the eruption of a civil war between clan-based armed factions in the early 1990s. The situation has been further complicated by Al-Shabaab militants, staging numerous attacks across the country in an attempt to impose a radical version of Sharia law.
