Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. Langley stated that the threat posed by Al-Shabaab has increased, prompting the U.S. to expand its military operations against the group.
Escalation of U.S. Operations
Langley emphasized that the U.S. is set to intensify its strikes against Al-Shabaab, saying:
The President and the Secretary of Defense have granted me expanded authority to swiftly and forcefully target and strike [Al-Shabaab]
What Does This Mean?
The statement suggests that the U.S. aligns with Somalia’s concerns regarding Al-Shabaab’s growing activity and its connections with the Houthis. Local media reports also indicate that Somalia might play a role in the U.S. campaign against the Houthis.
There is speculation that Somalia could provide strategic military bases for launching or monitoring operations against the Houthis. However, Somali officials have not officially confirmed this possibility.