MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – A Somali-American congresswoman, Ilhan Omar has demanded answer from president Joe Biden’s administration over the renewal of US airstrikes against Al-Shabaab fighters barely three days after US resume aerial bombardment against the group in central of Somalia.
In a letter addressed to Biden, seen by Halbeeg News, Omar challenged the Biden administration’s justification for its Tuesday airstrike in the horn of Africa nation.
“I have been deeply engaged on this question throughout my time in Congress, not only focused on the legal merits of individual strikes, but on how our militarized counter-terrorism approach to al-Shabaab fits into our overall strategy and policy towards Somalia,” Omar wrote in a letter to the White House on Friday.
The Minnesota Democrat added “In that respect, it is noteworthy that this week also saw reporting on the family members of Somali civilians killed by airstrikes conducted under the Trump Administration being unable to contact U.S. authorities or receive the condolence payments for which Congress has repeatedly appropriated funds.”
Omar, who grew up in Somalia before spending four years in a Kenyan refugee camp, represents a district with a heavy Somali American population.
Last Tuesday, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) carried out an airstrike in a vicinity near the city of Galkayo in central Somalia, the first under the Biden administration after a nearly six-month hiatus from targeting al-Shabaab and Islamic State terror group.
Another airstrike on Friday targeted group in the vicinity of Qeycad, Galmudug state, according to statement Somali government.
“Al-Shabab’s tactics are no match for the Danab (Somali special forces) and its partners,” the statement added, further describing the strike as having a “crippling” impact on the Shabab fighters.
The U.S. carried out 63 airstrikes against al-Shabaab in 2019 and 53 airstrikes in 2020.
Another seven airstrikes were launched in the first two-and-a-half weeks of 2021, before former U.S. President Donald Trump left office.
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