US to assist Kenya’s fight against al-Shabaab

[chill_wind]

October 23, 2011 6:02 pm
US to assist Kenya’s fight against al-Shabaab

By Katrina Manson in Nairobi

The US is discussing how to assist Kenya militarily and financially in its fight against al-Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia, as Kenyan troops close in on southern rebel strongholds in its neighbour, a failed state prey to terrorism and piracy.

“We are talking with the Kenyans right now to figure out where they need help,” US ambassador Scott Gration told the Financial Times in an interview at his residence in Nairobi.

Kenya invaded Somalia in an unprecedented large-scale incursion last week following three separate kidnappings of foreigners holidaying or working in Kenya.

What started as an operation justified on the grounds of “hot pursuit” is rapidly expanding into a wide-reaching air and land offensive intended to wipe out Islamist al-Shabaab group, which is accused of running terror training camps.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/fa596eba-fd8e-11e0-a9db-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1bjo0PfuZ


Today:

Kenyan Explosions Leave One Dead, 20 Injured After Warning by U.S. Embassy

At least one person died after two bomb blasts in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, where police stepped up security after the U.S. Embassy warned the country faced an imminent attack as Kenya’s army continues an assault on Somalia.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-24/kenyan-explosions-leave-one-dead-20-injured-after-warning-by-u-s-embassy.html

[Arctic Dave]

1. Always money for warfare.

What is the meme about if a repug was in office? Constant war or some bullshit.

Obama is no different.

[chill_wind]

4. And drones. n/t

[chill_wind]

2. Kenya Says Western Nations Join Fight in Somalia, as U.S. Denies Role

Kenya Says Western Nations Join Fight in Somalia, as U.S. Denies Role
By JOSH KRON and JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: October 23, 2011

NAIROBI, Kenya — Foreign military forces have joined the offensive against the Shabab militant group in Somalia as Kenyan troops advanced toward the rebel stronghold of Kismayu from two different directions, Kenya said Sunday.
The New York Times

A Kenyan military spokesman, Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir, said that “one of the partners,” possibly the United States or France, had been behind airstrikes in the past few days, killing a number of Shabab militants. The French Navy has also shelled rebel positions from the sea, the Kenyan military said in a statement.

Two senior American officials in Washington said Sunday that neither the United States military nor the Central Intelligence Agency had carried out airstrikes in Somalia in recent days. One of the officials, who follows American military operations closely, said the Kenyan offensive had forced many Shabab fighters and commanders to disperse, making them easier potential targets, but emphasized that there had been “no U.S. military strikes in Somalia at all recently.”

American officials in Kenya declined to comment. A French diplomat in the United States did not return phone calls.

more:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/24/world/africa/kenya-says-western-nations-have-joined-somalia-fight.html?_r=1&src=tp

[chill_wind]

3. Jeremy Scahill following:

@jeremyscahill

"Some good accounts to follow regarding Somalia-Kenya situation":

@Hamza_Africa
@somalianalyst
@SomWarMonitor
@SSCNews
3 hours ago


@Hamza_Africa

The Americans r usin drones.The #Ethiopians had enough.The #Somalis had enough & r fleeing #Somalia. #kenya's action appears plain suicidal
1 hour ago


Most of the # Kenyan troops sent to #Somalia have never been to war. The average #AlShabaab has at least 20yrs experience. #kenya #Africa
1 hour ago

[chill_wind]

5. What are Kenya's long-term goals in Somalia? (CSMonitor)

What are Kenya's long-term goals in Somalia?

Kenya is making inroads against Al Shabab. But Kenya's long-term aim is unclear.

By Alex Thurston, Guest blogger / October 24, 2011

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2011/1024/What-are-Kenya-s-long-term-goals-in-Somalia