Thursday June 15, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, visited Mogadishu and Kismayo towns between June 13-14, meeting with Somali leaders.
During his visit to Mogadishu, Langley met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somalia's Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, senior State Department and defence officials, and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops to discuss shared priorities and operations, such as our shared fight against al Shabaab.
The U.S. government also said, "In Kismayo, Langley met with the Jubaland Federal Member State President Ahmed Madobe, Danab leadership, and U.S. troops to witness ongoing training efforts and see ongoing operations firsthand."
The meeting occurs when the Somali government aims to initiate the second phase of the offensive against al-Shabaab, and when the government is prepared for the withdrawal of A.U. troops from Somalia.
A delegation from the African Union (A.U.) Military Staff Committee recently wrapped up a fact-finding mission in Somalia by reaffirming its resolve to hand over military bases to the Somali security forces by the end of June.
Last month, the United States conducted an airstrike on al-Shabab militants in Somalia. The strike destroyed weapons and equipment "unlawfully taken by al-Shabab fighters.
According to the command, the strike against the militants was conducted near an African Union Transition Mission in Somalia forward operating base in Bulo Marer.