NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 20- The United States has kicked off operation to withdraw 700 troops from Somalia, following an earlier directive by President Donald Trump.
The United States Africa Command termed the move as a “repositioning” of US Forces from the war torn country to other bases in East Africa.
According to reports, some military assets and troops will be relocated to Manda Bay, a jointly run Kenya Defence Forces camp in Lamu and others in Djibouti.
In a statement, US Africa Command, commander Gen. Stephen Townsend said; “I directed the activation of a joint task force, JTF-Quartz, built around the headquarters of Special Operations Command-Africa, to oversee operation Octave Quartz, the directed ‘re-positioning of US Forces to other bases in East Africa.”
He said the US was not “withdrawing or disengaging from East Africa.”
“We remained committed to helping our African partners build a more secure future. We also remain capable of striking Al-Shabaab at the time and place of our choosing-they should not test us.”
According to the Pentagon, the relocated forces will continue fighting violent extremism with the region.
American troops were currently stationed in Mogadishu, the Capital of Somalia and operation of the United Nations supported Federal government.
There were also American troops at the port of Kismayu, once an Al-Shabaab operating base until it was liberated by the Kenya Defence Forces.
They other forces stationed in Baledogle airbase, Bossaso and Galkayo areas.
Somalia is headed for parliamentary and presidential elections in January, 2021.
Kenya Defence Forces are part of AMISOM forces fighting the militants in Somalia after nearly 20-year civil war.
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