‘Terrorist forest fires’ sweep across Africa, senior US general cites deadly attacks

A “forest fire of terrorism” is sweeping through Africa, a senior US general said citing deadly attacks by al-Qaida by jihadists linked to Islamic State and al-Shabab, the Associated Press reported.

US General Stephen J. Townsend, who heads the United States Africa Command, warned of terrorist threats at the end of the African Lion War Games which lasted two weeks on the continent, an event with troops from the United States, Africa and Europe.

“I am concerned about the security situation across a strip of Africa,” Townsend said and specifically mentioned that the threat lies in the Western Sahel region which extends to the Eastern Horn of Africa.

Although African governments have the support of his neighbors, Townsend said that “all of this does not seem to be enough to stop what I call … (the) terrorist forest fire sweeping this region”.

For more Associated Press reporting, see below.

Townsend said the “terrorist forest fire” needs the world’s attention.

The African Lion war games have spread across Morocco, a key ally of the United States, with smaller parties being held in Tunisia and Senegal. Annual exercises were skipped last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Townsend praised the work being done in the joint operations and painted a grim picture of the threats besetting parts of Africa.

“All are on the march,” he said of jihadists linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State and al-Shabab

The African Lion has seen more than 7,000 troops from seven countries and NATO jointly conduct air, land and sea exercises.

“This has contributed to our interoperability, to our joint capabilities and has provided preparation and a good opportunity to strengthen cohesion between the forces,” said Major General Andrew Rohling, commander of Task Force Southern Europe. US Army in Africa. He spoke on Friday in the desert town of Tan-Tan.

There was a hitch early on, with Spain pulling out of the war games for budgetary reasons. News reports attributed the move to Spain’s poor relations with Morocco, a former key partner.

The two countries have been at daggers drawn since Spain recruited the leader of the Polisario Front independence movement – Morocco’s number one enemy – for COVID-19 treatment at a Spanish hospital earlier this year. The Polisario is fighting for the independence of Western Sahara, a vast region that Morocco claims as its own.

During the exercise, Morocco conducted airborne operations near Western Sahara and not far from the Polisario refugee camps in Tindouf, neighboring Algeria.

“These activities were perfectly carried out and agreed between the two armies,” Moroccan Brigadier General Mohammed Jamil told The Associated Press.

Townsend, who was asked if any action had taken place in the disputed Western Sahara, was adamant: “I can confirm that this is not the case.

The countries participating in the African Lion were the United States, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Italy, the Netherlands and Great Britain. Observers from other countries, including Egypt, Qatar, Niger and Mali, were also present.