Tuesday November 5, 2019
MOGADISHU (HOL) - A senior U.S military commander has called for coordinated efforts from the international community to defeat terrorism in Somalia.
U.S. Africa Command commander General Stephen Townsend said during his visit to Mogadishu Tuesday there was need for concerted efforts in supporting to improve security in Somalia.“Our commitment to helping our Somali partners improve security and develop their defense institutions is a top priority,” said Gen. Townsend. “Security also requires continued efforts and coordinated support from the international community to make it work,” a statement from the US embassy in Mogadishu read in part.
Noting that threats posed by terrorist networks in Africa called for vigilance and cooperation, Gen. Townsend sent warning terror groups.
“Terrorists need to know that we will pursue them relentlessly to disrupt and degrade them today and prevent their spread tomorrow,” he said.
Gen. Townsend met with President Mohamed Farmaajo and top US and Somalia leadership during his visit to Mogadishu.
The U.S last week brought down ISIS leader Abubakar Baghdadi in an operation in northern-western Syria.
The Somalia wing of ISIS this week expressed allegiance to the new ISIS leader named by the group to succeed Baghdadi.