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Somalia: Biden Approves 'Small, Persistent' U.S. Military Presence in the Country
VOA, 16 May 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized a deployment of fewer than 500 troops to the East African nation of Somalia to conduct operations against the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab… Read more »
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Somalia: U.S. Redeployment Should Stress Civilian Protection
HRW, 20 May 2022
Minimize Civilian Harm, Ensure Justice for Abuses Read more »
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Somalia: Somali Forces Detain Two Al-Shabaab Militants
Shabelle, 15 May 2022
Elite forces of Somali National Army (SNA) on Saturday arrested two al-Shabab militants after conducting operations in several locations of the Lower Shabelle region, southern… Read more »
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Somalia: Heavy Fighting Flares in Galmudug State Capital
Shabelle, 13 May 2022
Fighting intensified in Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug state, between the government forces and Ahlu Sunna forces who attacked the town. Read more »
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Somalia: A Bomb Blast Reported in Somali Capital
Shabelle, 11 May 2022
A huge explosion was reported in the Somali capital Mogadishu moments ago as the country is holding a crucial presidential election on May 15. Read more »
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Somalia: Death Toll From Roadside Blast in Somalia Climbs to 4
Shabelle, 11 May 2022
Somali police confirmed Tuesday that four people including three police officers were killed and eight others injured in a roadside blast in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia,… Read more »
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Somalia: A Suicide Attack Leaves Four Dead in Mogadishu
Shabelle, 11 May 2022
MOGADISHU [SMN] - An explosion near the KM4 junction in Mogadishu left at least four people dead and several wounded on Wednesday, according to eyewitnesses. Read more »
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Somalia: Somali Police Blames Al-Shabaab for Mogadishu Bombing
Shabelle, 11 May 2022
Somali police spokesman Abdifatah Aden Hassan spoke to reporters about the suicide bombing that took place near the KM4 junction in Mogadishu. Read more »
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Somalia: Two From Same Family Killed in Al-Shabaab Mortar Attack
Shabelle, 12 May 2022
BIYO-ADDE [SMN] - An official says mortar shells hit Biyo Adde village in the Middle Shabelle region on Wednesday night amid increasing insecurity in HirShabelle state. Read more »
'Small, Persistent' U.S. Military Presence Approved for Somalia
A White House official said Monday that U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized a deployment of fewer than 500 troops to Somalia to conduct operations against Al-Shabaab insurgent group in a reversal of a Trump-era decision to withdraw the forces.
Before the withdrawal, the U.S. kept some 700 troops in the African nation, which has struggled with violence and instability since a 1991 coup devolved into a cycle of brutal conflict involving rival clan leaders. The insurgent group surfaced in 2006, pledging to bring stability by instituting its strict interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic, law. It has since grown and conducted strikes outside of Somalia, including in Kenya and Uganda.
The official declined to say where the troops would be positioned, what branch of the U.S. military they would come from, or which members of al-Shabab they might target. When asked how long this operation would last, he did not specify.
InFocus
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Local officials and security sources have said that Al-Shabaab fighters stormed an African Union military base in the village of El-Baraf in Somalia's Middle Shabelle region on May ... Read more »
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Officials have asked the White House to send several hundred troops to Somalia, the Wall Street Journal reported last week. In the final weeks of his presidency, ... Read more »
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President Trump has ordered the U.S. military "to reposition the majority of personnel and assets out of Somalia by early 2021," the Pentagon said in an announcement released late ... Read more »
Somali national army soldiers stand in formation during a logistics course graduation ceremony following 14 weeks training with the U.S. 10th Mountain division (file photo).
