Trump’s Withdrawal From Somalia Is Putting Troops ‘at Risk,’ General Says – By Jake Thomas (Newsweek) / March 15, 2022
An Army general is warning that former President Donald Trump’s decision to pull hundreds of troops out of Somalia is hindering efforts to combat Islamic militants while putting U.S. military personnel in danger.
U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend on Tuesday told the Senate Armed Services Committee the reduced troop presence made has combatting the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab extremist group in East African country more dangerous and difficult. Townsend’s statement raises questions whether President Joe Biden will reverse one of his predecessor’s final national security decisions.
In December 2020, Trump ordered the withdrawal of 700 U.S. troops stationed in Somalia, where they had been training soldiers in the war-torn country and assisting with raids against Al-Shabab, an Islamic extremist group that has killed thousands.
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