American military intervention in Somalia (2007–present)
US military intervention against extremist groups in Somalia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Since the early 2000s, the United States has provided military support to the Transitional Federal Government and the Federal Government of Somalia in conflicts. U.S. military actions in Somalia date back to the 1980s; however, following the September 11th attacks, military action was justified as counterterrorism. The Obama and Trump administrations conducted drone and fighter aircraft strikes, advisory missions, and training; provided intelligence; and attacked al-Shabaab militants. Two U.S. special operations personnel, two contractors, one US Army soldier, and a CIA paramilitary officer have died during operations in Somalia.
American military intervention in Somalia | |||||||
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Part of War on Terror Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa during the Somali Civil War | |||||||
MQ-9 Reaper drone, commonly used over Somalia by U.S. forces. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
In support of:
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al-Shabaab Hizbul Islam (until 2009–10; 2012–14) Islamic State in Somalia | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Joe Biden |
Ahmad Umar Sheikh Abdul Qadir Mumin (ISS deputy) | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
450 personnel[8] | Al-Shabaab: 7,000–9,000 fighters (Dec 2017)[9] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
3 service members killed[10][11] 2 contractors killed[12] 1 CIA paramilitary officer killed 5 wounded[13][14][15] 5 aircraft destroyed 1 aircraft damaged 2 Oshkosh M-ATV several fuel tanker destroyed[12][16] |
575+ killed (2017–18)[17][18] 116 militants killed (2019) (per AFRICOM) 1,372–1,670 militants killed (per New America)[19][20] 1,185–1,313 militants killed (per The Bureau of Investigative Journalism) | ||||||
34–113 civilians killed (per New America)[21] 12–97 civilians killed (per The Bureau of Investigative Journalism)[22] 22 Galmudug soldiers mistakenly killed 78–153 civilians killed (per Airwars)[23] |
Robert Moore, a public policy advisor, has outlined various justifications for US intervention in Somalia, including the 2001 AUMF which authorizes the President to use force against the perpetrators of the September 11th attacks and their allies (al-Shabbab declared an alliance with al-Qaeda in 2012). Additionally, proponents argue for military intervention for humanitarian purposes, citing the Responsibility to Protect doctrine, suggesting that international intervention could have prevented the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. Moore, however, critiques these justifications.[24]
In late 2020, President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of most US troops from Somalia by 15 January 2021.[25] The Department of Defense confirmed the completion of troop withdrawal on 17 January 2021.[26] Despite this, the US has continued training allied forces, conducting limited airstrikes, and special operations.
In May 2022, President Joe Biden accepted a Department of Defense request to redeploy US soldiers to Somalia to combat al-Shabaab insurgents, as reported by a government spokesman.[27]