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Posted on 04/02/2004 6:49:23 AM PST by AFPhys
RANGERS TO EXIT SOMALIA
In a further step back from armed confrontation with Mohamed Farrah Aidid, President Clinton ordered a pullout Tuesday of Army Ranger forces he had sent to Somalia to capture the clan leader.
The move reflected the administration's effort to shift the focus in Somalia toward pursuing a political settlement following the deaths of 18 Americans in the disastrous Ranger raid on Aidid loyalists Oct. 3.
"Right now we are engaging in a political process to see how we can resolve our mission in Somalia," Clinton told reporters at the White House. "So right now we're in a stand-down position."
At the Pentagon, spokeswoman Kathleen deLaski said a Ranger task force of about 750 men would be withdrawn "in the next couple of days." Officials declined to provide a full breakdown, but the withdrawal apparently includes about 600 members of the 75th Ranger Regiment and about 150 support forces such as members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Sixteen of the 18 Americans who died in the Oct. 3 raid were members of the Ranger task force.
DeLaski said about 6,300 U.S. troops remain in Somalia, of which about 2,700 are assigned to the U.N. command providing support such as logistical expertise.
Clinton said the time was right to pull out the Rangers because two Marine Expeditionary Units, totaling about 3,600 men with helicopters and armored vehicles, had arrived off the Somali coast aboard Navy ships. Clinton suggested the Marines could substitute for the Rangers if necessary, although deLaski said there were no plans to bring the Marines ashore, barring an emergency.
Clinton's announcement came two days after the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, publicly confirmed that U.S. soldiers in Somalia had stopped trying to capture Aidid. DeLaski noted, though, that Aidid remains wanted by the United Nations for a June attack in Mogadishu in which 24 Pakistani troops were killed.
"There is not an active effort to search for members of the Aidid apparatus," deLaski said.
Clinton sent an initial contingent of 400 Army Rangers to Mogadishu on Aug. 24 in response to a series of bloody attacks on Americans for which Aidid or his loyalists were blamed. Although the administration did not say so publicly at the time, the Rangers' mission was to capture the elusive Aidid.
That goal was never achieved, and the launching of the Ranger mission itself now stands out as a turning point in U.S. military involvement in Somalia. The deployment triggered a fresh burst of questions and criticisms from the public on whether the administration had a plan for getting out.
Also, Defense Secretary Les Aspin has cited the Ranger deployment in explaining why he denied the requests of U.S. commanders in Somalia for more armor to protect American forces. The lack of armor figured in the outcome of the October Ranger raid, which in turn led Clinton to announce four days later that he was beefing up U.S. forces in Somalia while setting a March 31 date for full withdrawal.
This is how the 'Toon's administration handled the last similar incident.
Is there any wonder they have been celebrating?
God Bless President Bush and our Troops and Military Commanders.
Give them the strength and courage to rekindle in the world a new respect for America, and our "terrible swift sword".
"Right now I'm running for cover. I'm scared. I'm in CYA mode bigtime. The terrorists pushed back and I don't know what else to do except put my tail between my legs and come crying home to mama. By the way, as the years go by, I hope to be able to lie more effectively, but right now, this is the best I've got."
They are in for a BIG surprise.. and I cannot help but think that by now they are understanding a little bit more clearly about this . Soon they will have a much better perspective.
Tom Bombadil also said: "Hamas pulled back from public encouragement of attacks on the United States precisely because they knew that they don't want to get into an unlimited war with the United States. These folks in Fallujah may be about to find out why."
I think there is going to be a renewal of respect for the US and our Marines that comes from this. They didn't get much of a chance to practice their "house-to-house" tactics a year ago. I think it is likely they will get that chance soon.
Thanks to BlueLancer for this post: I want the annihilation to be so complete that their mythology will tell them of the day of judgment when the stern gods from across the sea .. the powerful 'Mericans .. destroyed their forefathers' wickedness.
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