We're involved in the Ethiopia/Somalia/Islamic Militia thing?

Factual Questions
1

This new story mentions that US Navy warships are serving to prevent the Islamic militias from escaping by sea in an upcoming battle in Somalia.

I didn’t even know we were involved in that conflict militarily. Has this been common knowledge I have just missed out on?

What is the nature of and reason for our involvement?

-FrL-

2

oil.

looking for cite.

3

[QUOTE=Frylock]

This news story mentions that US Navy warships are serving to prevent the Islamic militias from escaping by sea in an upcoming battle in Somalia.

I didn’t even know we were involved in that conflict militarily. Has this been common knowledge I have just missed out on?

What is the nature of and reason for our involvement?

-FrL-
[/QUOTE]

Fixed url code.

-FrL-

4

It’s not a secret, but then again, news out of Africa never gets much attention. Basically we’re letting the Ethiopians act as a proxy to push the Islamists out, and providing a little material support. We think the Islamists are Qaeda-ridden, or have the potential to be so.

And you can bet your bippy, as Ann Landers used to say, that this won’t end nicely and cleanly, but will devolve into something resembling Afghanistan. Hooray!

5

And incidentally, there has been a thread in GD about it.

6

As far as I know, we have no troops on the ground.
Yet.

7

[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor]
As far as I know, we have no troops on the ground.
[/QUOTE]

As far as I know, we have no troops on the ground in Somalia. However, the U.S. military has been training Ethiopian troops.

8

[QUOTE=Mynn]
oil.

looking for cite.
[/QUOTE]

Somalia has oil? Jesus christ they need to get it together, worst utilization of a natural resource ever.

9

[QUOTE=Billdo]
As far as I know, we have no troops on the ground in Somalia. However, the U.S. military has been training Ethiopian troops.
[/QUOTE]
So we’re sending advisers to a country that might split in twain with one half trying to conquer our half with outside help.

This will end well.

10

[QUOTE=Derleth]
So we’re sending advisers to a country that might split in twain with one half trying to conquer our half with outside help.
[/QUOTE]
It’s already split in the north; Somaliland declared independence a few years ago, and Puntland has declared autonomy as well… I’m not aware of any significant action to prevent them doing so, or to persuade them back by any Somali authorities.