MOGADISHU, Somalia - A U.S. warship pounded Somalia's remote coastal northeast, targeting Islamic militants hours after a gunbattle with Somali government forces that left eight insurgents dead, officials said Saturday.
The fighting late Friday, which the provincial government said included an American militant, appeared to mark the opening of a new front against Islamic militants in Puntland, a semiautonomous region that has remained relatively peaceful through Somalia's anarchy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070602/ap_on_re_af/somalia_us
What do you think?
Originally posted by AThousandYoungI think it's going to take more than that to keep Somalia from turning into a haven. I say let it become a nest then help the Ethiopes clean it up again. Rinse and repeat as necessary and only put forces on the ground as advisers and possibly some wetworks if an opportunity is to good to pass up.
MOGADISHU, Somalia - A U.S. warship pounded Somalia's remote coastal northeast, targeting Islamic militants hours after a gunbattle with Somali government forces that left eight insurgents dead, officials said Saturday.
The fighting late Friday, which the provincial government said included an American militant, appeared to mark the opening of ...[text shortened]... archy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070602/ap_on_re_af/somalia_us
What do you think?
There really is no good way for dealing with Somalia. From the U.S. Perspective anyway.
Originally posted by MerkWhy should the US be involving itself in a war in eastern Africa?
I think it's going to take more than that to keep Somalia from turning into a haven. I say let it become a nest then help the Ethiopes clean it up again. Rinse and repeat as necessary and only put forces on the ground as advisers and possibly some wetworks if an opportunity is to good to pass up.
There really is no good way for dealing with Somalia. From the U.S. Perspective anyway.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_timeline_of_the_War_in_Somalia#US_intervention_against_Al_Qaeda
"United States
The United States has assisted Somali, Ethiopian and Kenyan forces with intelligence, advisors and limited military strikes from bases in those countries and from Djibouti. They have offered money to support a peace keeping force. The involvement of the United States is part of their War on Terrorism and specifically Al-Qaeda.
On February 23rd, 2007, the New York Times reported that the US government has been secretly training Ethiopian soldiers, for several years, in camps near the Ethiopia-Somalia border. Many of these soldiers participated in the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia. The Times quoted unnamed US government officials who said the training program and other support for Ethiopia's government began after a failed CIA effort to arm and finance Somali "warlords."[96]
[edit] US intervention against Al Qaeda
Further information: OEF-HOA
Somali Prime Minister Gedi declared one of the key objectives of the offensive on Kismayo was the capture of three alleged Al-Qaeda members, suspects wanted for the 1998 United States embassy bombings in East Africa: Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan and Abu Taha al-Sudani.
The United States Fifth Fleet's multinational maritime task force, Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150),[97] based out of Bahrain[98] is patrolling off the Somali coast to prevent terrorists launching an "attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material," said Commander Kevin Aandahl.[99] The announcement did not say what particular ships comprised the cordon, but the task force includes vessels from Canada, France, Germany, Pakistan, the UK and the US. US ships of CTF-150 include the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ramage and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Bunker Hill.[100]
"
Originally posted by AThousandYoungTo prevent it from becoming another home for al-Qaeda.
Why should the US be involving itself in a war in eastern Africa?
The last thing we need is for them to have another country to be an open and accepting partner of AQ.
If it wasn't for AQ, I'd say let 'em fight. Its none of our business.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungThat's fair. It makes no sense to mindlessly support or oppose anything.
Thanks. So it's part of the War on Terror. I need to really think about how I feel about using the military this aggressively.
Just keep in mind that if we are just hitting them from the sea or maybe dropping some JDAMs, its really not using our military all that aggressively and preventing on AQ sanctuary and relatively low expense.
Originally posted by MerkI'm aware of that, which is why I am so ambivalent.
That's fair. It makes no sense to mindlessly support or oppose anything.
Just keep in mind that if we are just hitting them from the sea or maybe dropping some JDAMs, its really not using our military all that aggressively and preventing on AQ sanctuary and relatively low expense.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungI think the US wouldn't recognise a militant if he was draped in a towel, toting an AK47 and screaming: "Ali Akbar" at the top of his voice.
MOGADISHU, Somalia - A U.S. warship pounded Somalia's remote coastal northeast, targeting Islamic militants hours after a gunbattle with Somali government forces that left eight insurgents dead, officials said Saturday.
The fighting late Friday, which the provincial government said included an American militant, appeared to mark the opening of ...[text shortened]... archy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070602/ap_on_re_af/somalia_us
What do you think?
So don't be surprised when the next list of civilian casualties hits the headlines.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungI'm sure it was a destroyer or a cruiser. Those would be the usual suspects.
Anyone know what kind of ship it was?
Yahoo says it was a destroyer. I guess we don't have any other ships that can shell things active these days.
Edit: there seems to be very little reporting on this. I think they all get there stuff from the same source. The don't say which destroyer.
One thing about the press is that they know less about weapons than your average 10 year old, so they might not have been shells at all. Might have been MLRS for all we know. I would think CENTCOM has or will soon have a press release on this. They'll know what was used.
Originally posted by shavixmirI must say, i agree with the Gupster this time. Stay out of African totally. If the Dutch don't care, why should we? Let the Dutch have their turn at killing civilians. Or not. Someone else should get the honor of being the worst people on earth. I'm having sushi for dinner. You? Yawn!!!!! I'm just to arragant to give two Guppy Poos!
I think the US wouldn't recognise a militant if he was draped in a towel, toting an AK47 and screaming: "Ali Akbar" at the top of his voice.
So don't be surprised when the next list of civilian casualties hits the headlines.