Trump in first military action in Africa, orders massive airstrikes against Islamic terrorists group
President Donald has finally turned his eyes on Africa as he boosted the US military's authority to step up air strikes in the fight against Islamist insurgents in Somalia.
Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia during an exercise on February 13, 2012. Source: Daily Nation
The Defence Department made this known on Thursday.
According to a Pentagon official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the powers also will give greater autonomy in decision-making on air strikes to the head of US forces in Africa, General Thomas Waldhauser.
"The president has approved a Department of Defence proposal to provide additional precision fires in support" of the African Union Mission in Somalia and Somali security forces operations," said Navy Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, in a statement.
"The additional support provided by this authority will help deny Al-Shabaab safe havens from which it could attack US citizens or US interests in the region," Davis said.
Consequently, Trump’s decision is in line with the Republican his administration's policy to expand the authority of the military, particularly in authorizing more aggressive air strikes in certain countries.
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NAIJ.com learnt that the military had accused the previous Democratic administration of President Barack Obama of micromanaging combat operations.
Obama notably kept tight control over armed drone strikes, which his successor is pursuing in Somalia and Yemen, Daily Nation reports.
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