Djibouti a key base for US Africa operations
02 April, 2014 - 8:12am
DJIBOUTI - Djibouti may be one of the smallest countries in Africa. But it's
about to become significantly more important, as US forces stationed there
increase their operations, on their own and working with local governments.
The Navy Riverines, American sailors who are part of the United States'
growing joint task force in the Horn of Africa, monitor vessels leaving
Djibouti's harbour for the potentially dangerous waters of the Gulf of Aden,
as well as those entering the port.
Petty Officer Mike Emory of the US Navy said they are on the lookout for
anything that tries to get within reach of the ship they are protecting.
Americans have been based here for 10 years, but have operated mostly
quietly and outside the public eye.
But recent events that threatened American lives, such as the US embassy
attack in Benghazi, Libya, and the more recent siege of Nairobi's Westgate
Mall, have altered their mission dramatically.
Horn of Africa Task Force Commander General Wayne Grigsby says, "We are
building an environment that won't allow violent extremists to survive in
East Africa."
The American troops are skilled in counter-insurgency, after spending years
in Afghanistan and Iraq. So, they have a lot to teach the AU force in
Somalia.
And with Somalia just next door, and Yemen a short boat trip across the
Gulf, Djibouti has clearly fast become a key strategic location for US
troops and their African allies.
* Watch the attached video from our East Africa Bureau Chief Robyn Kriel,
who spent a week with American troops in Djibouti and filed this exclusive
report.
http://www.enca.com/africa/djibouti-key-base-us-africa-operations
Received on Wed Apr 02 2014 - 15:48:27 EDT