This archive report was first published on 12 January 2020.
January 5, 2020, marked a devastating day for Kenya and the US, as Al-Shabaab launched a deadly attack on a military base in Manda Bay Airfield, killing one soldier and two Department of Defence contractors.
The US government confirmed the attack, stating that it had lost a soldier and two contractors. The base, which hosts American and Kenyan personnel, plays a key role in supporting US operations in Somalia, according to US Africa Command (Africom).
As reported by Lt Christina M Gibson, a spokesperson for Africom, the US's interest in Somalia is to deter organisations affiliated with Al-Qaeda and ISIS-Somalia terrorist outfits. "Somalia remains key to the security environment of East Africa, and its long-term stability is important to advancing US interests in the region," she said.
Al-Shabaab's resilience and access to weaponry have been a growing concern for Amisom and Africom. Since 2006, the terror group has continuously increased its combat capability by seizing heavy weaponry, armoured vehicles, explosives, small arms, ammunition, and other supplies from assaults on Somali National Security Forces and Amisom.
"It is imperative for Somali security forces to plug their internal weaknesses," Africom noted. "This guarantees that they keep the pressure on Al-Shabaab to create conditions for further political and economic development."
Following the attack, Africom conducted airstrikes against Al-Shabaab bases in Lower Shabelle region, killing four militants and destroying two vehicles. "Precision airstrikes support our partner security forces' efforts to protect the Somali people from terrorism while creating opportunities for increased governance to take hold," Lt Gibson said.
