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    October 28, 2011

US Sending Spy Drones From Ethiopia into Somalia

   Gabe Joselow | Nairobi
   African Union peacekeepers are seen in the Deynile district of the
   capital Mogadishu, Somalia, October 20, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   African Union peacekeepers are seen in the Deynile district of the
   capital Mogadishu, Somalia, October 20, 2011.

   U.S. officials have acknowledged they are sending drone aircraft from
   Ethiopia to conduct surveillance in Somalia, but say it has nothing to
   do with Kenya's ongoing military operation there. Kenya has vowed to
   continue fighting until it has curtailed the activities of the Somali
   militant group al-Shabab.
   U.S. military officials say they have begun launching drone aircraft
   over Somalia from a position in southern Ethiopia. Officials say the
   drones, piloted by remote control, are only for surveillance and not
   for airstrikes.
   A U.S. military spokesman, Lieutenant Commander James Stockman, told
   VOA in an e-mailed statement that 'there is no relationship between the
   aircraft operations in Ethiopia and the Kenyan operation in Somalia."
   He said there are no U.S. military bases in Africa, except in Djibouti,
   and that a 'limited number of personnel' are working on the Ethiopian
   program.
   Kenya sent troops into Somalia two weeks ago in pursuit of al-Shabab
   militants blamed for several kidnappings and attacks across the border
   in Kenya in recent months.
   Asked in a Twitter conversation whether Kenya is receiving any
   intelligence from the U.S. drone program, Kenyan military spokesman
   Emmanuel Chirchir replied, "Intelligence sharing between states
   happen[s] normally everyday, nothing has been enhanced from the
   normal."
   The Kenyan Army has given no timeframe for its military operation in
   Somalia, as troops push toward al-Shabab's seaside stronghold of
   Kismayo.
   "Kenya has no plans or intentions to stay in Somalia an hour beyond
   necessary," said Kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua. Once our
   objective is met as per the framework of AU and IGAD, Kenyan troops
   will withdraw and leave the security operations to AU troops and TFG
   troops."
   While Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, or TFG, has provided
   troops for the operation, so far, AU forces, known as AMISOM, have
   stuck to their peacekeeping mission in the capital Mogadishu.
   AMISOM spokesman Paddy Akunda says there are currently no plans to
   provide support for Kenya's mission.
   "No we are not involved with the Kenyan incursion down south, we
   understand their security concerns. It's a Kenyan affair. It's between
   the Kenyan government and the TFG," said Akunda.
   Asked if AMISOM had any plans to join the Kenyan operation at a later
   point, Akunda said we will "cross that bridge when we get there."