Tuesday December 8, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - The rights group Amnesty International has warned against ‘whitewashing’ human rights violations committed by US soldiers in Somalia as they plan to pull out.
Amnesty said in a statement Tuesday crimes committed by US forces through air strikes must be prosecuted despite the planned withdrawal.
“Regardless of having boots on the ground or not, AFRICOM still must ensure justice and reparation for the civilian victims of violations of international humanitarian law and their families,” head of Amnesty in East and Southern Africa said.
“And if air strikes continue, AFRICOM must ensure they take all feasible precautions to spare civilians.”
Amnesty noted that withdrawal of ‘ground troops does not necessarily mean an end to US military action in Somalia, which has included dozens of air strikes each year, many originating from bases outside of Somalia.’
The rights group said it had documented 21 deaths and 11 cases of injured people by US airstrikes in Lower Shabelle, Galgudud and Middle Juba regions.
Pentagon announced last week it will be pulling out troops from Somalia by the end of January 2021 and relocate them in neighboring countries.
The move has been castigated with security analysts warning of increased attacks by the militant group Al-Shabaab.