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U.S. Won't Rule out a Last-ditch Strike in Somalia

January 25, 2007 5:45 PM

Somalia_soldier_us_nr_1Luis Martinez contributed to this report.

The United States will not rule out further strikes in Somalia, State Department sources told ABC News today, but the window of opportunity to hit suspected terrorists there is closing quickly.

Sources say don't rule out another U.S. attack before early next week, a sort of "last-ditch effort" to get these suspected terrorists before they disappear off the radar.

The U.S. has an "understanding," not a paper agreement, with the U.S.-backed Transitional Federal Government in Somalia, allowing the U.S. to conduct attacks on suspected terror targets within Somalia's borders.

THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS

Officials say that another strike would likely resemble the previous two, a lone gunship launching the attack.

The first attack in January was on al Qaeda targets, but the attack this past Monday was on targets from the Islamic Courts Council. Sources say that Monday's attack was really directed at one individual but declined to identify who that was. In general, sources say the U.S. is only going after "a handful of individuals."

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Yesterday, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said, "We have, for some time, been concerned about al Qaeda operating in that region, and that's why we're working with countries throughout that [area of responsibility] to identify track, seek capture and, if necessary, kill al Qaeda working, taking safe haven, operating in that region."   

It would appear that Whitman was not only referring to the Kenyans and Ethiopians, but to the new Somali government as well, which through this understanding has allowed the U.S. to conduct the raids over its territory.

While it's been commonly assumed the U.S. gunships have been flying out of the American base in Djibouti, in fact they've been very quietly flying out of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, sources tell ABC News.

The AC-130 gunships were flown to Ethiopia to be closer to the action in Somalia from their homebase at Balad in Northern Iraq.  They've been there since the Islamic Councils were driven from power. 

Both strikes have been targets of opportunity, and any additional strikes would only occur if those opportunities arise again.

Sources also say that there are U.S. "advisors" on the ground. They aren't necessarily participating in these attacks but are there to "collect information."

January 25, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (10)

User Comments

No more air strikes, no more bombing, no more killing, and no more hate.

Enough is enough. Humanity wants peace.

Posted by: John | Jan 26, 2007 8:35:22 AM

Not all humanity wants peace, John; never been the case...ever. International foreign policy is so complex; it does not come down to either/or scenarios, and is certainly not a sanitized process.

...And I'm not sure that the AC130 crews that are trying to kill these terrorists are full of hate. They're professionals who do their job pretty well with no grudges....

Posted by: Jazz | Jan 26, 2007 10:22:48 AM

Why do we want to be in the middle of a regional conflict? Can a policy of estranging the whole region possibly enhance our security in the world?

Save the world! Impeach Bush!

Posted by: mark | Jan 26, 2007 12:43:04 PM

Why can't we just let the terrorists win in peace?

Posted by: SUV.Driving.Lib | Jan 26, 2007 1:26:19 PM

The US is going after the people suspected of executing the twin embassy bombings in East Africa (when Clinton was president). It is neither a "regional" conflict, nor is it a partisan issue.

mark's "impeachment" comment specific to this particular military action is similar to saying Clinton should have been impeached for launching airstrikes against Sudan in the 90's in response to the very same action taken by AQ...and I have no political affiliation with or any allegiance to ANY party or ANY public officer...

Posted by: Jazz | Jan 26, 2007 1:39:30 PM

Let the terrorists win in peace? You have to be kidding me! Do you have no memory - no ability to read and discern - for the terrorist to win means you are dead - the usa is no more - the west is gone and any opposing value, thought and idealogy is removed from the face of the earth ---- Peace? You gotta be kidding! Peace comes to those who choose. Presidents Clinton - Bush did not choose attack on embassy's, the pentagon, the twin towers....but hey lets just leave them alone and see what happens.
This is the avowed goal of AQ - to kill the west (translation for John,mark and SUV - you being dead).

Posted by: Ben | Jan 27, 2007 8:57:18 AM

Ben, I think SUV was being facetious. I believe he was mocking those who scream "PEACE NOW".

Posted by: ArmyMedic | Jan 27, 2007 8:06:15 PM


Calling for the impeachment of a president during war-time is nothing less then "TREASON".
Speaking of treason the greatest trator of the Vietnam war period (next to Ted Kennedy) has climbed out of her hole again "Jane Fonda" is back in trator mode. Being a Vietnam Vet I get sick every time I see her or Kennedy...
As far as the operations in Somalia go. Great Job Mr. President and the military men doing the missions...

Posted by: Shiloh | Jan 29, 2007 4:42:05 AM

As America is spending a huge amount in the name of war in Iraq and Afghanistan it will be unwise to open a battle front in Africa. Spending millions will only help to increase economic burden of the country. In order of conducting invasion in some other country America should step up its internal security

Posted by: hari l. | Jan 29, 2007 8:00:06 AM

"Calling for the impeachment of a president during war-time is nothing less then "TREASON"."

This is an astonishing comment. Calling for impeachment is a right protected by the first amendment.

Posted by: John | Jan 29, 2007 12:42:51 PM

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