The idle musings of a former military man, former computer geek, medically retired pastor and now full-time writer. Contents guaranteed to offend the politically correct and anal-retentive from time to time. My approach to life is that it should be taken with a large helping of laughter, and sufficient firepower to keep it tamed!
Sunday, May 17, 2015
South African mercenaries at it again?
I mentioned last week that South African mercenaries had shown the way in driving Boko Haram out of much of its territory in Nigeria. Now come rumors (so far unsubstantiated, as far as I know, but from sources that I consider reliable) that South African mercenaries may be active in East Africa as well, preparing to take on Al Shabaab in Somalia. They've been in the area before, with generally good results. Now, if rumor be true, they may be back - in a much bigger way.
African peacekeeping troops have done a pretty good job of pacifying the major cities and transport routes in that country, but they haven't been able to pin down and destroy Al Shabaab's main armed forces, which are acting in the classic guerrilla warfare tradition. Back in the 1980's, the South African Defense Force was probably the world's premier counter-guerrilla-warfare organization, with training and experience to beat anyone else. Its former soldiers know Africa (and Africans) really, really well. I think they'd be a perfect fit to deal with Al Shabaab, having just given concrete evidence of their abilities against Boko Haram.
Keep an eye on the Horn of Africa. If the rumors are true, I think things are about to get very interesting around that part of the world (although Al Shabaab will probably use a different description).
Peter
Hey Peter,
ReplyDeleteI remembered reading back in the early 80's that a lot of soldiers and officers went to South Africa after Rhodesia became Zimbabwe and their experience was welcomed by the South Africans that knew that they were next on the list.
As soon as your #2 "Larado" comes out, I will get it....just so you know...
Every time I see Al Shabob I sing in my head Who put the bob in the alshabob shabob.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Mike Hoare getting a bit long in the tooth for this sort of thing?
ReplyDeleteThe sooner Al Shabaab becomes Shish-Kabab the world will be a better place. And good on them for bookends on Boko.
ReplyDeletePuns aside, it's good work they are doing. If only our political class would learn from them as much as some of our military higher ranks will.