U.S. Africa Command has announced the formation of Joint Task Force Quartz to oversee Operation Octave Quartz – a mission designated to reposition forces from Somalia and continue the assistance effort in Somalia. In early December President Trump and the Department of Defense announced that the United States would remove some 700 military personnel from Somalia. This is an action that Trump had mentioned several times over the past year but had not directed to take place.

Some national security observers applaud the action believing that the situation in Somalia is unsolvable. They point to decades of corruption and conflict and little to show for the millions of dollars and other sacrifices made in Somalia.

However, others say that we are ceding territory to an insurgent / terrorist group affiliated with al Qaeda. These critics say that the group poses a threat to the U.S. – pointing to the attack on Camp Simba in Kenya where Americans lost their lives and to the recent news of a potential plot by an al Shabaab member to hijack an aircraft to conduct an attack in the United States.

The withdrawal is being presented to the U.S. public as a ‘repositioning of forces’. Apparently some of these forces will move into neighboring countries. Djibouti and Kenya share a border with Somalia and have been hosts of U.S. military units and activities for many years.

Joint Task Force Quartz

Joint Task Force Quartz or JTF-Quartz is built around the headquarters of Special Operations Command – Africa. The mission is to oversee Operation Octave Quartz which will reposition U.S. forces from Somalia to other bases in East Africa. JTF Quartz is commanded by the Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAF) commander Maj. Gen. Dag Anderson.

JTF-Quartz components include:

• Joint Force Special Operations Component Command
• Joint Force Maritime Component Command
• Joint Air Component Coordination Element

JTF-Quartz priorities are:

• safely reposition U.S. forces
• protect U.S. forces through coordinated and increased force protection measures
• continue the mission to support regional partners and keep pressure on violent extremists

U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, the commander of U.S. Africa Command, met with African partners to provide reassurance of a sustained commitment to East Africa security. He says that the U.S. will continue to support enduring partners while maintaining pressure on violent extremist organizations in the region.

“To be clear, the U.S. is not withdrawing or disengaging from East Africa. We remain committed to helping our African partners build a more secure future. We also remain capable of striking Al-Shabaab at any time and place of our choosing – they should not test us.”

General Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, Dec 2020.

The U.S. and Somalia – Quick Timeline

Cold War. During the Cold War the Horn of Africa region was a focus of attention when it came to competition between the Soviet Union and the United States for influence and military presence. Somalia was a Soviet client state for many years (1970s).

Humanitarian Mission. In the early 1990s the United States committed US forces (including SOF) to Somalia in support of the United Nations humanitarian mission. This support ended when President Clinton ended the U.S. involvement in Somalia after the “Battle of Mogadishu” where 18 US. troops lost their lives during a raid on Somali militia leaders.

Failed State. Since the early 1990s Somalia has been a ‘failed state‘. It has suffered from famine, civil war, corruption, foreign intrigue and meddling, anarchy, and more. For many years it was the center of piracy operating from the coastal area of Somalia.

Fragile State. In 2012 the formation of a federal government provided a central authority that could provide services and security for the Somalia people. However, Somalia is still afflicted with division, political infighting, and corruption and remains a ‘fragile state’.

Al Shabaab. Somalia has been fighting an insurgency by an al Qaeda-affiliated group known as al Shabaab. The group controls much of Somalia – especially in the central and southern portions of the country. Its goal is to establish an Islamic state in Somalia.

US Support. The United States , along with other international partners, are working to stabilize the country and increase the effectiveness of the security forces. The US has been a key supporter of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), provides advice and training to the Somali security forces, and conducts counterterror (CT) missions within Somalia against al Shabaab and the local ISIS affiliate. U.S. Army Special Forces (and other organizations) have been instrumental in standing up the elite Danab Brigade.

Some Americans have lost their lives in the region including a CIA paramilitary officer (Nov 2020), a soldier assigned to 3rd Special Forces (June 2018), and contract pilots and an Army air traffic controller at Camp Simba (Jan 2020) just across the border in Kenya.

Security and Governance. The war in Somalia between government forces and al Shabaab has lasted almost 15 years. The prospects for peace is dismal. International donors are becoming reluctant to pay the expenses of the African Union forces that are deployed in Somalia to assist the government with security. Relations between Somalia and Kenya have frayed. Internal tensions exist between the different regions of Somalia are not good. The various clans and sub-clans in Somalia are constantly at odds with each other and may likely erupt into violence once again.

Great Power Competition. The Defense Department is now focused on strategic competition with China and Russia. To some, that means a shift to the Pacific and Eastern Europe with an emphasis on large conventional forces with the most modern ships, aircraft, and tanks. But to others, this means the competition is more likely to take place around the world in an environment where irregular warfare (some would say political warfare) is where the real competition is.

What Comes Next?

Future of Danab? The planned withdrawal of US forces will include the Special Forces contingent tasked with supporting the Danab special operations unit. Apparently a very small contingent of the US military will remain. The US has funded, trained, and partnered with this 1,000 man unit. It is commonly known that advisor work is best accomplished with person-to-person interaction. The premise that ‘advisor work’ can be accomplished remotely is largely dismissed by most members of the military that have been advisors. Certainly emails, Zoom sessions, video conferences, and phone calls have utility but nothing compares to an advisor on the ground sharing the battlespace.

It will be interesting (and perhaps disappointing) to observe the effectiveness of Danab over the next few years. There is the possibility that U.S. intelligence organizations will maintain a presence as well as private entities providing support, instruction, and advise through contract mechanisms with the State Department or Department of Defense.

Future Prospects? The Somali government has not met the milestones for the development of its security forces – goals set by the United States and the international community. In addition, it has not taken the steps for effective governance to alleviate the root causes of insurgent and tribal conflict. According to U.S. Africa Command al Shabaab remains adaptive, resilient, and capable of attacking US, Western, and partner interests in Somalia and East Africa.

The 19,000-man multinational African Union force will withdraw by the end of 2021. A withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Somalia accompanied by a reduction of ANISOM will likely increase the opportunity for al Shabaab to increase its influence and make further territorial gains. On January 20th a new president will occupy the White House. He may opt to reverse or adjust priorities in the region.

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References:

Task Force Quartz. “U.S. Africa Command stands up Joint Task Force – Quartz”, United States Africa Command, December 19, 2020.

IG Report on CT in Africa. The Defense Department posted the quarterly report for counterterrorism operations in East, North, and West Africa. This 98-page report provides information on the security situation in much of Africa to include Somalia. November 2020.

Recent Analysis and Commentary on Somalia.

“Why the Somali Danab SOF is Vital to the US and to Defeating Al-Shabaab”, by Steve Balestrieri, SOFREP, January 13, 2021.

“The Way Forward for the United States in Somalia”, by Stephen M. Schwartz, Foreign Policy Research Institute, January 12, 2021. Schwartz is a former U.S. Ambassador to Somalia (2016-2017).

Podcast – Proxies and American Strategy in Africa. The U.S. withdrawal from Somalia of 700 military personnel has put the U.S. military involvement in Africa back in the news. This podcast explores what US forces are doing when they’re deployed in countries across Africa. In many cases these US forces (SOF and conventional) are working with local partner forces. – which helps the United States to retain a degree of influence and situational awareness in the country. Two guests featured in this podcast provide an examination of proxy warfare in Africa.

Retired Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks was the former commander of Special Operations Command Africa from 2017 to 2019. In that role he was responsible for all Special Operations Forces conducting counterinsurgency operations and foreign internal defense (FID) across the continent of Africa. Hicks is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in AC-130H Spectre and AC-130U Spooky aircraft. He has commanded units within the special operations community and conventional Air Force at all levels.

Dr. Eli Berman is the co-editor of the book Proxy Wars: Suppressing Violence through Local Agents. He is a professor at the University of California San Diego and has served as the Research Director for International Security Studies at the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation.

Irregular Warfare Podcast, December 23, 2020, 56 mins.
https://mwi.usma.edu/mwi-podcast-proxies-and-american-strategy-in-africa/

SOF News Update – Curated news, analysis, and commentary on special operations forces, national security, and conflicts from around the world.

Top Story

Casualties in Iraq. On Wednesday, March 11, 2020 a Coalition base in Taji, Iraq was hit with 18 rockets. Two Americans and one British soldier died in the attack. As many as 14 were wounded. An Iranian-linked Shia militia group (SMG) has been blamed for the attack. Iraqi forces found a rocket-rigged truck a few miles from the base. On Thursday CENTCOM released a statement:

“Iran remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. Since May 2019, Iranian proxies and Shia Militia Groups in Iraq have increased attacks on U.S. interests and conducted scores of UAS reconnaissance flights near U.S. and ISF bases.”

– Gen Frank McKenzie, CDR CENTCOM , March 11, 2020

Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon. A British service member was killed in the Taji rocket attack. She served as a reservist with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, having joined in 2015 as a Combat Medical Technician. (UK Ministry of Defence, Mar 12, 2020).

U.S. Casualties Identified. Army Specialist Juan Miguel Mendez Covarrubias, age 27, of Hanford, California and Air Force Staff Sergeant Marshal D. Roberts, age 28, of Owasso, Oklahoma.

Retaliation. U.S. and UK air strikes hit multiple targets on Thursday. Some reports say that Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) militia suffered large losses in US air strikes against 5 locations in Babil Province. A defense official said that air strikes are taking place all over Iraq. Some weapons storage sites were targeted. One news account says an Iranian Revolutionary Guards general has been killed in the air strikes. Read more in a March 12, 2020 news release by the DoD.

SOF News

CRE / CIF – Staying, Going, or Changing? On February 26th Defense Secretary Esper said he is reviewing the need for Special Forces to have dedicated crisis response forces while briefing the House Armed Services Committee. Read more in “Pentagon to Decide if it Still Needs Green Beret Response Forces”, Military.com, March 11, 2020.

Moving SOF Wing to Germany? Plans to move a special operations wing and refueling tankers from RAF Mildenhall to Ramstein Air Base and Spangdahlem in Germany have been put on hold. U.S. European Command is conducting a reassessment of the previous closure decision. (Stars and Stripes, Mar 10, 2020).

New SEL for SOJTF-OIR. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Andrew McCurry, currently assigned as the Marine Raider Support Group senior enlisted advisor, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina has a future assignment in Iraq. He has been selected to replace Command Sergeant Major Dave Lance as the command senior enlisted leader for the Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

Former Navy SEAL Helps Burn Patients. The Sons of the Flag put patients in touch with surgeons that help create a course of treatment. Read “A Navy SEAL’s Mission to Revolutionize Burn Care”, The Epoch Times, March 12, 2020.

SOF Key in Future Afghan Fight. To be able to draw down the U.S. footprint below 8,600 troops and still be able to operate a robust CT campaign with adequate support and protection for special operators requires a more “permissive” environment in Afghanistan. U.S. SOF currently operates in a “conventional force structure” that provides logistics, air power, intelligence, and strike capabilities from both U.S. conventional troops and host nation partner forces. Read more in “America commandos to hold down the fort in Afghanistan as US troops withdraw”, Military Times, March 12, 2020.

Medal for Operation Observant Compass Participants. Troops who were part of the hunt in central Africa for rebel warlord Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army are eligible for medals awarded to those who served in the global war on terrorism. U.S. special operations troops, including Green Berets and Navy SEALs were part of the operation. (Stars and Stripes, Mar 11, 2020).

International SOF

Sri Lanka Navy Special Boat Squadron JCET. A four week training exercise (Balance Style 2020) has begun involving personnel from the Sri Lanka naval special operations community and a Special Forces detachment from 1st SFGA. The training will include Human Rights, Law of Armed Conflict, small unit tactics, MOUT, TCCC, combat marksmanship, CQB, mission planning, and MAROPS. (Sri Lank Navy, Mar 3, 2020).

Exercise Northern Griffin 2020. The Finnish Defense Forces’ Utti Jaeger Regiment has organized an exercise aimed at developing interoperability with multinational partners in cold winter conditions. The countries of Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and UK are participating in the event held in northern Finland. The Utti Jaeger Regiment is the Finnish Army training and development centre for Finnish special forces. (The Barents Observer, Mar 8, 2020).

Operation Monogram. A trilateral special operations exchange between Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and the United States is took place in the months of February and March 2020. The Bangladesh units in the exercise included the Navy’s elite Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS) unit and the Army’s Special Forces 1st Para-Commando Brigade. (Dhaka Tribune, Mar 10, 2020).

Exercise Hawk Strike and Hungarian 2nd Special Operations Forces. U.S. Army aviation aircrews recently trained alongside soldiers from the 1st Cav Division and the Hungarian SOF. (3rd CAB, 1 Cav, Mar 12, 2020).

New Libya Naval Commando Unit. A unit made up of Libyan fighters is being trained up with the help of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. The unit is an attempt to counter the naval activities of Turkey off the coast of Libya. Read “Egypt, UAE establish Libya naval commando squad to fight Turkey”, Middle East Monitor, March 9, 2020.

National Defense

DoD Orders 60-Day Travel Ban. The Defense Department has announced that there is a 60-day ban on travel to all countries designated as “Level 3 locations”. The restrictions apply to troops, military families, and DoD civilians. Those countries include china, Italy, Iran, and South Korea. (Military.com, Mar 11, 2020)

Army and COVID-19. The U.S. Army has some guidance on how to protect the health of the force and maintain operational readiness.
https://www.army.mil/covid-19/

Great Power Competition

SOF News is going to pay a little more attention to the shift in U.S. special operations forces focus from counterterrorism and counterinsurgency to great power competition (GPC). Many people look at GPC as a ‘conventional fight’ – big military forces consisting of expensive aircraft, new naval ships, and modern tanks facing off with each other. Picture an outbreak of general war with Russia or China. The reality is that GPC will most likely be ‘fought’ at a level below that of general war. Some would say it is a return to or an increase in ‘political warfare’. So where do U.S. special operations forces fit into all of this? SOF News will be watching for future articles on this topic to share with the reading SOF audience. So from time to time you will see the links to info and articles about how SOF fits into the ‘Great Power Competition’.

We will start off with a recent 46-page paper entitled SOF Paradigm in Great Power Competition Published in October 2019 by NSI, 46 pages. The report features guest articles from several members of the SOF community who currently work for SOCEUR, NDU, USASOC, and other organizations. A good read. If you know of any recent articles or reports about GPC then send to us so we can check them out. (staff @ sof.news).

Africa

Counter-VEO Efforts Insufficient in Sahel. The Cdr of U.S. Africa Command, General Stephen Townsend, said that U.S. and international efforts to combat violent extremist organizations in West Africa aren’t working. He says that “ISIS and al-Qaida are on the march in West Africa. They’re having success, and international efforts are not.” This assessment is provided (testimony before Congress) at the same time that DOD is trying to move troops out of Africa to address the rising threat from Russia and China. (Military Times, Mar 10, 2020).

Sahel States Need More Help. The governments of West Africa are capable security partners – if they are enabled by other international actors. The Sahel states are lacking funds, equipment, and training. Read “Why Do African Sahel Countries Need More International Support?”, European Eye on Radicalization, March 5, 2020.

Funding AFRICOM’s Mission. Katherine Zimmerman believes that the U.S. needs to remain committed to the counterterrorism mission in Africa. The jihadists are gaining ground and Russia and China are increasing their influence. (Marine Corps Times, Mar 12, 2020).

Africa Lion – Scaled Back. The U.S. Army Africa has reduced the scale of its largest exercise due to concerns with COVID-19. The exercise is due to start March 23 and involves over 4,000 U.S. troops. (Military Times, Mar 10, 2020).

British Military in Africa. The UK armed forces are currently running training courses for troops in 14 African nations. “How the British Military Are ‘Opening Doors’ in Africa”, Forces.net, March 10, 2020.

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Photo: Members of the U.S. Army’s 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Norwegian SOF, conduct RAPIDS infiltrations / exfiltration training with snowmobiles, March 8, 2020, in Northern Norway, using the U.S. Air Force’s CV-22B Osprey, assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing. RAPIDS is a Special Forces tactic for quickly inserting and removing personnel into and out of an area. The training was conducted to allow the special forces members to maintain proficiency in the RAPIDS procedures. (photos by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Pena)

Soldiers of the 5th Special Forces Group hosted members from the Egyptian Special Operations Unit 999 during a joint training event at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The two-week training event took place in early February 2020 and was focused on a variety of special operations tactics and procedures while strengthening the relationship and interoperability between both units.

“We’ve been training together on a number of tasks from shooting and moving to counter tactics,” said the team leader with 5th SFG(A). “This has been a great opportunity for us to learn from each other. After this training, we will operate together more effectively.”

The training focused on a number of tasks from shooting and moving to counter tactics. Information and ideas were exchanged in the classroom, while firing and movement tactics were executed in Fort Campbell’s training area.

From mission planning, firing multiple weapons systems, countering improvised explosive devices and unmanned aircraft systems, both units familiarized themselves with each other’s procedures.

One of 5th Group’s missions is to train with partner forces.

“Anytime we can get out and work with our partner forces it benefits all of us on the team. We had the opportunity to do it in our own backyard this time and it was great for us. Specifically for some of our younger guys who may not have had the opportunity to work with our partner forces before, this has been great for them to learn from this experience.”

5th Special Forces Warrant Officer

A farewell dinner and ceremony was held at Fort Campbell’s Smokehaus Restaurant where the units celebrated their hard work and friendship.

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Photo: A 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldier assists an Egyptian Special Operations Soldier with Unit 999 with dialing in a scope on an M110 semi-automatic sniper rifle at a range on Fort Campbell, Ky., February 3, 2020. Identifying and engaging targets was one part of various tasks that both units trained on during a two-week training event. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers / 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Public Affairs) .

Story: The above article adapted from an article posted by Technical Information Support Company, 4th Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, DVIDS, February 13, 2020.