UK starts deploying troops to South Sudan, Somalia

May 3, 2016 (JUBA/MOGADISHU) – A team of the British army soldiers has arrived in Somalia as part of the UK’s plans to deploy hundreds of troops in several African countries, following a pledge by Prime Minister, David Cameron.

An advance party of 10 soldiers will support the African Union peacekeeping efforts against the al-Shabab militant group in Somalia, Presstv reported.

The UK Defense Secretary, Michael Fallon said the deployment of the troops was “another demonstration of the flexibility and global reach of our armed forces.”

The group is expected to be joined by additional 60 soldiers who will handle medical, logistical and engineering duties.

The AU mission has deployed about 22,000 peacekeepers from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia to help Somali government forces stabilise the country.

Meanwhile, the UK is planning to send around 300 troops to South Sudan, where thousands of people have been killed as a result of a bloody civil war since December 2013.

The British forces in the young nation will reportedly carry out engineering work to strengthen the country’s infrastructure.

A plan to deploy troops was announced by the British prime minister at a United Nations event in September last year.

(ST)