Uganda Announces Air Force Deployment to Battle Al Shabaab Militants in Somalia

Highlights

• Ugandan air force announces its intention to deploy fighter jets in Somalia
• The air force deployment deemed to help the war torn country in battling Al Shabaab militants
• Deployment comes as part of the African Union (AU) mission’s operations in Somalia
• Al Shabaab continues to pose a major threat in Somalia and broader East Africa regions
• Africa Union missions (AMISOM) intensifies fight against the militants retaking more areas from the militants
• Uganda received two Cessna 208B aircraft from the United States in March
• Recently Uganda Defense Forces (UPDF) acquired  2 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter aircraft’s from Russia

Analysis

Africa Union mission’s forces in Somalia have made significant gains against the Harakat al- Shabaab al-Mujahideen group which is an affiliate of the Al Qaeda’s terror network.

The forces have continuously humiliated the militants, degrading their capability to conduct their terror activities, the militants have turned to guerrilla tactics. The army has opted the preemptive measure to deter the Al Shabaab militants.

Kenya Defence forces play a vital role with their air force conducting precision air strikes and have destroyed several militants’ operational bases. Ugandan air force deployment of the fighter jets will be a big boost on the fight against the Al Shabaab.

Lately the jihadist’s outfit is seen to suffer setbacks in these highly valuable regions. Al-Shabaab wants to capture and take control of the agricultural areas besides gain access to routes to the seaports or at-least the coastlines. Such access will outright allow them to replenish their supplies including arms, food, medicine, and most importantly restore exports and imports to raise much needed revenue.

Forecast

Uganda received two Cessna 208B aircraft from the United States in March, allegedly as an appreciation for its counter-terrorism and security efforts in Somalia. The country has the largest number of troops –UPDF fighting the Somalia based Al Shabaab since 2007.

In the days to come, Al Shabaab terrorist group activities in Somalia will decline as they will lack capability as most of their operation and logistical bases have been destroyed.

The militant’s leader gave a worrying message of Eid Mubarak, calling on Muslim youths to join the course of the jihad to liberate their lands. The message was published on the group’s friendly website. There is a possibility the militants will increase on their recruitment drive to fill in the gaps left by those killed in the fight.

The militants have been pushed out of the capital, Mogadishu, and other major cities by  forces of the government and the African Union, which is largely made up of troops from Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, and Kenya.