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News > World

US to Send Troops to Somalia, First Since 'Black Hawk Down'

  • This marks the first time the United States government have deployed regular troop in Somalia since 1994.

    This marks the first time the United States government have deployed regular troop in Somalia since 1994. | Photo: Reuters

Published 16 April 2017
Opinion

Last month U.S. President Donald Trump approved an order which requested tougher measures be implemented to combat terrorist group al-Shabab.

The U.S. is getting ready to send troops to war-ravaged Somalia to aid in their fight against extremist group al-Shabab. Last month, President Donald Trump approved an order which requested tougher measures be implemented to combat the terrorist group.

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This marks the first time the United States government has deployed regular troop in Somalia since 1994. In 1993, the U.S. lost 18 special forces during the First Battle of Mogadishu, better know as Black Hawk Down. The troops were initially sent to Somalia to provide humanitarian aid, but ended up battling factionalized militiamen, triggering a decade of civil unrest in the African country. After the battle, the U.S. restricted its role in Somalia to drone and missile strikes against militants.

This new mission is believed to be focused on the strengthening of the Somali army. The U.K. and Turkey, among others, are said to be training Somali troops as well. The Al-Shabab fighters continue to maintain a strong presence in the rural parts of Somalia.

The African Union has a force of about 22,000 soldiers currently providing support to the Somali Government in its fight against the terror group.

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