US Merchant Marine Sailors Were Target Of Houthi Attack + World War II Combat Tactics Return To The Red Sea

BREAKING Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the Iranian-backed militants fired a large number of ballistic and naval missiles and drones at a U.S. flagged ship manned by US Merchant Marine sailors who were “providing support” to Israel. No update yet from the head of the US Merchant Marine, DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

US Merchant Marine Sailors Were Target Of Houthi Attack

H/T: What is Going on With Shipping?

Related:

Greyhound Day: World War II Combat Tactics Return To The Red Sea

What is clear is that the US military has repeatedly warned ship owners and officers against sharing information with journalists, Wall Street analysts, and supply chain experts. While journalists and supply chains may be under-reporting the issue, ship owners are sharing more alarming stories among themselves. This information asymmetry could lead to more ships avoiding the region, while freight forwarders, cargo brokers, and other professionals further down the supply chain may be unprepared for the full extent of the delays.

US to cut military presence in Niger + Pentagon lied to Congress

The Pentagon reportedly plans to pull out some of its troops from the African country

The US has begun “repositioning” the troops it has in Niger and plans to cut their number “nearly in half” over the next several weeks, Politico reported on Friday citing two Defense Department officials.

US to cut military presence in Niger

Related:

Pentagon Misled Congress About U.S. Bases in Africa

Rand Paul: Why do we still have troops in Niger?

Wisconsin Army National Guard headed to Horn of Africa for 10 months

Wisconsin Army National Guard headed to Horn of Africa for 10 months

Related:

Virginia National Guard soldiers return home from Africa

[11-2021] 1,000 National Guard Soldiers to Deploy to Africa as Mid East Wars Wind Down

It is unclear if the 1,000 Guardsmen is an increase in the Pentagon’s force in Africa, or if those troops are replacing others currently deployed. The U.S. has been increasingly operating in countries like Somalia and Niger as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have drawn down.

There are some 6,000 American troops, Defense Department civilians and contractors across Africa, an Army spokesperson told Military.com. About 3,400 of those people operate from Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, which serves as the major hub for the U.S. military on the continent.

Hmm 🤔 Biden Sent U.S.Troops To Somalia In May And Now Somalia’s Situation Is Getting Worse

Video via Wongel Zelalem

Related:

UN, humanitarian agencies sound alarm over Somalia famine

Somali President Holds Meeting with US Ambassador and New AFRICOM Commander

US Ramping Up Drone Strikes in the Middle East and Africa

US picks up pace of airstrikes in Somalia

History:

Biden Redeploys Pentagon Troops to Somalia While Humanitarian Crisis Looms

Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Somalia

[2020] Why tiny Djibouti hosts both China and U.S. military bases – only a few kilometers apart

Why tiny Djibouti hosts both China and U.S. military bases – only a few kilometers apart

The U.S. opened its military base, Camp Lemonnier, in the East African nation in 2003 and now the biggest base in Africa. It currently has about 4,500 troops stationed in it. Just 12km away from the U.S. base is China’s which was opened in 2017 with around 2,000 military personnel. The decision by China to set up military bases overseas is surprising as it has historically been opposed to the idea.

The U.S. established the Camp Lemonnier in 2003 after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. It is home to some 4,500 personnel, some of whom are engaged in secretive missions and targeted drone killings in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, according to the New York Times.

The lease of land for military bases has become one of the important sources of revenue for the government. In other words, it is the biggest foreign exchange earner for the country. Washington pays $63 million annually for a 10-year lease of the area while China pays $20 million a year, in addition to other investments. It is therefore not difficult to see why the former French colony will look pass the rivalry that exists between the two superpowers.