Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says U.S. does not plan to remove all troops from Africa as part of review.
Military Times: Esper says US military not withdrawing from AFRICOM
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters at the Pentagon Thursday that the U.S. military would not conduct a full troop withdrawal from Africa, though an ongoing review that could result in troop reductions.
Lawmakers and national security experts have expressed concern over the potential reduction of U.S. troops from the region following an al-Shabab attack on the Manda Bay, Kenya, base that killed three Americans, among them a U.S. soldier.
The Pentagon is amidst a review of the U.S. troop posture across the globe as military planners look for avenues to shore up resources and forces to address rising near-peer threats like Russia and China, and to better align policy with the National Defense Strategy.
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Update #1: U.S. will not completely withdraw forces from Africa: Pentagon chief (Reuters)
Update #2: U.S. Officials: Some Troops To Stay In Africa Amid Moves By Russia, China (RFE)
WNU Editor: The French are relieved .... 'Critical to our operations': French defense minister asks Esper to maintain US presence in Africa (Washington Examiner).
