In addition to the German force of six warships and 750 Marines now sailing towards the Horn of Africa, numerous German troops and ships are already in the area, sent in order to participate in action against al-Qaeda and other accused terrorist organizations.
The first German force left from the city of Hanover two weeks ago, and was to arrive off the coast of Djibouti on January 2. The force is composed of two warships, and includes 1,600 troops. The clear purpose of this force was to take part in operations against suspected terrorists in Somalia, Kenyan newspaper The Nation reported. Sources in Nairobi told the newspaper that the Germans would take part in the second round of the war on terrorism, which analysts predict will target Somalia and possibly neighboring Sudan.
From the German force’s destination, Djibouti, the ships are within striking distance of Somalia, but also available for action in nearby Yemen and Sudan, two countries that have also been under America’s sights as homes to large al-Qaeda networks. (www.albawaba.com)
