Tuesday February 27, 2024
US soldiers, pictured here in Kenya in 2023, have for years been present in East Africa
A US-led military exercise code-named "Justified Accord" begins in Kenya on Monday, with more than 20 nations taking part in what has been billed as the largest event of its kind in East Africa.
The 11-day exercise, which will end next Thursday, is aimed at increasing participating countries’ readiness for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance, according to state-owned Somali broadcaster SNTV and Kenyan media.
Dozens of US-trained Somali commandos will take part in the exercise, which private news website Kenyans.co.ke said will bring together 1,000 personnel and units from 23 nations.
The US military said Justified Accord is its "largest exercise in East Africa".
"Justified Accord showcases the desire of US and partner nations to increase readiness and interoperability for regional security and crisis response," the military said.
The US has led similar exercises in East Africa in recent years as the region grapples with a deadly al-Shabab insurgency and other security challenges.