Biden approves redeployment of U.S. troops to Somalia

WASHINGTON, May 17: U.S. President Joe Biden has approved a plan to redeploy U.S. troops to the eastern African country of Somalia to counter the extremist group al-Shabab, the White House said on Monday.

Drawn from forces already deployed in Africa, less than 500 U.S. troops will be repositioned to Somalia to constitute "a small, persistent U.S. military presence" in the country, a senior administration official said during a briefing with reporters, speaking on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.