By early 2021

Trump orders the withdrawal of most US forces from Somalia

Two US Army soldiers in Mogadishu.

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US President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of "most" of the American forces from Somalia by early 2021, that is, just before his departure from power, after he had also accelerated the withdrawal of his forces from Afghanistan and Iraq, in order to fulfill his promise to "end the endless wars."

The Pentagon said, in a statement, that Trump has decided to "reposition most of the personnel and military assets outside Somalia, by early 2021."

She added, "Part of the forces may be redeployed outside East Africa," noting that "the rest of the forces will be transferred from Somalia to neighboring countries, in order to allow cross-border operations by the United States and partner forces, to maintain pressure on violent extremist organizations."

Washington has deployed about 700 soldiers from the special forces in Somalia, to train Somali forces, provide advice to them, and carry out counterterrorism raids against Al-Shabaab, which Washington designated a terrorist movement in 2008. The Pentagon stressed that “the United States does not withdraw or abandon Africa ».

"We will continue to weaken the violent extremist organizations that are likely to threaten our lands," she said, pledging to "preserve the ability to conduct targeted counterterrorism operations in Somalia."

This announcement comes in response to Trump's desire to put an end to "the United States' wars abroad."

Since Democrat Joe Biden won the US presidential elections last November, Trump has sought to accelerate the withdrawal of US forces from several countries, before leaving power on January 20.

He intends to leave behind only 2,500 soldiers, in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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