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US confirms death of soldier in Al-Shabaab combat

US confirms death of soldier in Al-Shabaab combat

Somalia

The United States’ Africa Command has officially confirmed the death of one of its soldiers in Somalia during an anti-insurgency operation against the Al-Shabaab group.

According to a statement published by the Command, the soldier was killed near Barii, approximately 40 miles west of the capital, Mogadishu.

“U.S. forces were conducting an advise and assist mission alongside members of the Somali National Army.

“U.S. forces are assisting partner forces to counter al-Shabaab in Somalia to degrade the al-Qaeda affiliate’s ability to recruit, train and plot external terror attacks throughout the region and in America,” the statement read.

According to the US authorities, Al-Shabaab – an affiliate of the al-Qaeda group, was a threat to Americans and American interests stating that the group had murdered Americans; and continues to radicalize and recruit terrorists and fighters in the United States.

They, however, stated that they will carry on with their efforts in fighting the group. “We continue to support our Somali and regional partners to systematically dismantle this al Qaeda affiliate, and help them to achieve stability and security throughout the region as part of the global counterterrorism effort,” the statement concluded.

President Donald Trump only recently okayed the deployment of US soldiers to the Horn of Africa nation. The first such deployment in over two decades.

The last US troops in the country left in 1993. The pullout was after two helicopters were shot down in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

According to the US Africa Command, the latest deployment was to help to train the Somalia National Army (SNA). The about 40 troops were deployed from the 101st Airborne Division.

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