US to cut troop figures in Africa by 10 percent
Currently, about 7,200 US military personnel are based in dozens of African countries.
The US army will withdraw hundreds of troops conducting counterterrorism
operations across Africa over the next several years, the Pentagon has
said, in a move that comes amid efforts to prioritise resources "for
long-term competition with China and Russia".
Currently, about 7,200 US military personnel are based in dozens of
African nations, with notable footprints in countries such as Somalia,
Nigeria and Libya.
Commander Candice Tresch, Pentagon spokesperson, said on Thursday that
figure would be reduced by about 10 percent over the next few years.
Tresch did not specify which countries would see a drawdown but said the
cuts would leave "counter-violent extremist organisation" activities
largely untouched in several countries, including Somalia, Djibouti and
Libya.
In other parts of the continent, including West Africa, the emphasis
would shift from "tactical assistance to advising, assisting, liaising
and sharing intelligence", Tresch added.
A US official, speaking to the Reuters news agency on condition of
anonymity, said the reduction of troops would likely take place over
three years and could include countries such as Kenya, Cameroon and
Mali.
The role of the US military on the African continent has received
increased attention after an ambush last year in Niger, claimed by a
local Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS)
affiliate, which killed four US soldiers and several members of Nigerien
partner forces.
The announcement by the Pentagon comes as it works on implementing
President Donald Trump's sweeping National Defense Strategy, which
highlights a new era of "Great Power competition" with Moscow and
Beijing.
https://www.geezgo.com/sps/46861
Join Geezgo for free. Use Geezgo's end-to-end encrypted Chat with your Closenets (friends, relatives, colleague etc) in personalized ways.>>
No comments