Attacks on U.S. Troops in Somalia Lead to Airstrikes on al-Shabaab

The Military Times published on 29 September 2016 an article titled "Attacks on U.S. Troops in Somalia Leads to Airstrikes on al-Shabaab" by Andrew Tilghman.

The account reports two recent occasions when small numbers of US troops (presumably Special Forces) came under attack in Somalia from al-Shabaab and the US launched "self-defense" airstrikes in response. The first attack occurred on 26 September outside Kismayu in southern Somalia where the Pentagon said the strike killed 9 enemy fighters. The second attack occurred on 28 September in central Somalia near Galkayo where the Pentagon said the strike killed 4 al-Shabaab fighters.

The government of "semi-autonomous" Galmudug State issued a press release stating that the second attack mistakenly killed 13 Galmudug forces and injured another 7. The government of Galmudug State called for an apology and compensation from the United States.

Following a Pentagon investigation, it was confirmed that the American drone strike killed 10 members of a regional force allied with the United States. The Washington Post published on 10 November 2016 an article titled "After Initial Denial, Pentagon, Discovers It Killed 10 Allies in Drone Strike in Somalia" by Kevin Sieff.

Tension between Somalia and Kenya over Jubaland

Kenya's The Standard ran a story on 12 July 2013 by Malkhadir Muhumed titled "Somalia Hostility Threatens Peace Efforts."  The focus is the situation in Jubaland.  It includes one of my comments.

More on Jubaland

During a recent visit to Kenya, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud was interviewed by the Daily Nation.  The interview, which focused on Jubaland, appeared in an article titled "Accord Key To End Jubaland Stalemate, Says Somali Leader." 

In a lengthy analysis, Daahir Sheikh discussed the Jubaland issue in a piece titled "Somalia: Why Jubbaland Deadlock Will Define Future Somalia."  He concluded there is still time for a compromise whereby the Somali Federal Government would have some political influence in Jubaland and a share of Kismayu port revenue in exchange for recognition of Jubaland and the election of Ahmed Madobe.

Shinn Commentary on Somalia

The web site e-International Relations asked me to comment on the situation in Somalia. My commentary titled "Somalia: Security, AMISOM, Governance, Al-Shabaab and the Future" ran on 26 September 2012, although it was written several days earlier. Among other comments, I said that the "Somali government, Kenyan forces and Ras Kamboni faction will almost certainly take Kismayu in the coming weeks."

Click here to read the commentary.