tagged w/ somalia war
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Unbeknownst to many Americans, the United States has pledged more than $185 million in support of the African Union’s military mission in Somalia, which has been battling against an insurgency intent on preventing a UN-backed government from being installed and imposed upon them. This past week saw some of the heaviest fighting this year. The United Nations reported that combat in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, caused the displacement of at least 22,000 more civilians and forced relief agencies to curtail their operations in the city.Unbeknownst to many Americans, the United States has pledged more than $185 million in... more
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It's been almost two decades since U.S troops were forced out of Somalia after the "Black Hawk Down" battle. Now, the U.S. is backing a push by African states to add troops to combat Somali militants. But Somalia experts who have watched violence spin in circles for nearly 20 years are warning that more troops will not bring peace.It's been almost two decades since U.S troops were forced out of Somalia after... more
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An African Union peacekeeping force, funded by hundreds of millions of dollars from the United States and its allies, has killed, wounded and displaced hundreds of Somali civilians in a stepped-up campaign against insurgent militants, according to medical officials, human rights activists and victims.An African Union peacekeeping force, funded by hundreds of millions of dollars from... more
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The New York Times reports that the United States government is paying for children in Somalia to help defend what many argue is a near-non-existent government in one of the most impoverished and violent countries in the world, Somalia. How are US taxpayers doing this? Arming children, some as young as nine-years-old, with Kalashnikov assault rifles.The New York Times reports that the United States government is paying for children in... more
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Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh is warning that Somalia's Western-backed transitional government may not survive the intensified conflict with armed insurgents.
Guelleh appeared before the United Nations Security Council in New York to plead for action, saying “I cannot see how we can avert the possibility of Somalia's plunge into an avoidable disintegration.”Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh is warning that Somalia's... more
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Hundreds of Somali soldiers trained with US funding have deserted, with some crossing over to the insurgents they are supposed to be fighting.Hundreds of Somali soldiers trained with US funding have deserted, with some crossing... more
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The Pentagon is considering dispatching surveillance drones and other limited military support for a Somali government offensive against insurgents.The Pentagon is considering dispatching surveillance drones and other limited military... more
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When President Barack Obama took office in January 2009, it was widely expected that he would dramatically change, or even reverse, the militarized and unilateral security policy that had been pursued by the Bush administration toward Africa, as well as toward other parts of the world.
After one year in office, however, it is clear that the Obama administration is following essentially the same policy that has guided U.S. military policy toward Africa for more than a decade. In fact, the Obama administration is seeking to expand U.S. military activities on the continent even further.When President Barack Obama took office in January 2009, it was widely expected that... more
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In Somalia, problems including corrupt officials and a lack of supplies have delayed the government’s military offensive against Islamic insurgents, but even before the first shot has been fired, new warnings have emerged that blood may be spilled for little or no gain.In Somalia, problems including corrupt officials and a lack of supplies have delayed... more
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U.N. officials are saying that U.S. restrictions designed to stop terrorists in Somalia from diverting aid are hurting humanitarian operations in the country.
Top UN humanitarian official Mark Bowden says UN agencies have not seen any evidence from the US government that food aid is being diverted to Islamic fundamentalists fighting the U.N.-backed Somali government. Bowden told journalists in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi: "What we are seeing is a politicization of humanitarian issues. The options for a lot of Somalis look pretty bleak."U.N. officials are saying that U.S. restrictions designed to stop terrorists in... more
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