Two decades of US airstrikes in Somalia
The US has been carrying out airstrikes in Somalia for two decades, yet al-Shabaab remains powerful and may even be strengthening.
Where this was said
Somalia's Two-Decade Insurgency: The al-Shabaab Background
At 3:07 · chapter starts 2:15
The host introduces journalist Mohamed Gabobe, a freelance reporter based in Mogadishu who writes for The Guardian and Al Jazeera. Gabobe sketches out the conflict's architecture: al-Shabaab, formed in 2002 and prominent since 2006, has waged a two-decade insurgency across southern and central Somalia. The US has at least 500 soldiers in country, has trained and funded the elite Danab (Lightning Force) unit, and provides drone surveillance and airstrike support. The UN describes al-Shabaab as the greatest immediate threat to Somalia and East Africa. Despite all this, 196 airstrikes under Trump's second term have not dislodged the group, which now runs a parallel government inside Somalia's borders. [1] — Mohamed Gabobe "196 US airstrikes in Somalia under Trump 2nd term: The US has carried out 196 airstrikes in Somalia since Trump's second administration beg…" 03:07
Al-Shabaab formed 2002, prominent since 2006
Al-Shabaab was formed in 2002 and rose to prominence in 2006, waging a two-decade insurgency against the Somali government.
How the Danab force and US cooperation work
The US has trained and funded a Somali special forces unit called the Danab, or Lightning Force. US troops provide surveillance drones and airstrike support to these Somali units, operating in a partnership that goes far deeper than the public debate acknowledges.
500+ US soldiers stationed in Somalia
The United States has at least 500 soldiers currently stationed in Somalia, in addition to drone surveillance and airstrike capabilities.
196 US airstrikes in Somalia under Trump 2nd term
The US has carried out 196 airstrikes in Somalia since Trump's second administration began, approaching his entire first-term total of 219.
America's forgotten war: 196 airstrikes and counting
The US has conducted 196 airstrikes in Somalia since Trump's second term began, nearly matching his entire first-term total of 219. Two decades of continuous bombing have failed to defeat al-Shabaab, which now runs a parallel government inside Somalia's borders.
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