Trump approves counter-terrorism operations’ support

U.S. President, Donald Trump, has approved counter-terrorism operations’ support for Somalia to defeat Al-Shabaab terrorist group in the country.

Pentagon Spokesman, Capt. Jeff Davis, said on Thursday in a statement in New York that U.S. counter-terrorism operations in Somalia would further increase pressure on al-Shabaab.

He added that “the President has approved a proposal to provide additional precision fires in support of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali security forces operations to defeat al-Shabaab in Somalia.

“This authority is consistent with our approach of developing capable Somali security forces and supporting regional partners in their efforts to combat al-Shabaab.”

He said “additional U.S. support will help to increase pressure on al-Shabaab and reduce the risk to our partner forces when they conduct operations.

“We stand with the international community in supporting the Federal Government of Somalia as it strives to improve stability and security in Somalia.

“The additional support provided by this authority will deny al-Shabaab safe havens from which it could attack U.S. citizens or U.S. interests in the region,” Davis said.

Trump has made the defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and affiliated extremist groups one of the priorities of his administration.