United States President Donald Trump has extended his commitment to withdrawing military forces deployed abroad with an order to withdraw nearly all troops from Somalia by 15 January.
The Pentagon has said some of the troops would move to neighbouring countries, allowing for cross-border operations. The US has about 700 troops in the country helping local forces battle al-Shabab and Islamic State militants.
The BBC reports that, in recent months, President Trump has issued similar orders to reduce US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has long called for US troops to come home on the grounds that US military interventions are costly and ineffective.
The withdrawal order – which would see troops redeployed just days before Trump leaves office – reverses the policy of former US defence secretary Mark Esper, who was sacked last month and favoured maintaining the US presence in Somalia.
A Pentagon statement said the latest withdrawal did not signify a change in US policy.
‘We will continue to degrade violent extremist organisations that could threaten our homeland while ensuring we maintain our strategic advantage in great power competition.’
According to the BBC, some experts have warned that a US withdrawal could embolden militants in the Horn of Africa region.
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