Militants Storm Hotel in Somalia, Leaving At Least 20 Dead
TimeAPR 2022
It's time for al-Shabaab to feel the full military force of the new Somali government, as that's the only language they understand. This, paired with international cooperation to cut them off from their flow of funds, is the only way to effectively combat the terrorist group.
After more than 15 years, al-Shabaab still has extensive logistical and operational capabilities. While something must be done, military confrontation alone isn't the answer. There also needs to be a focus on political rapprochement and dialogue with the militants to reduce violence.
The US has deployed up to 500 soldiers to Somalia under the pretext of "fight[ing] against terrorism." Its real objective, however, is to contain China and Russia in Africa. It's also not a coincidence that Somalia is considered one of the world's last untapped oil Eldorados, while the former Somali government withdrew an oil contract with a US company in February.
Though detractors of the US's commitment to stability and democracy say that Washington is only interested in Somalia because of great power competition, the US truly seeks to help stabilize a region that is particularly vulnerable to security threats and highly geostrategically important due to its proximity to shipping lanes. Al-Shabaab has become a growing threat and is still a massive obstacle to stability in the Horn of Africa that must be confronted.