A string of leaked emails between US private military companies has shown that the US is involved in illegal mercenary operations in east Africa. The emails suggest that the CIA had knowledge of plans to run covert military operations in Somalia, and also suggest British involvement. The missions have been in support of President Abdullahi Yusuf, who is attempting to establish central rule in Somalia against militant Islamic groups. US and British involvement in Somalia goes against UN rulings.

One such email is from Michele Ballarin, chief executive of a military firm called Select Armor. In her email she discusses “successful” meetings with the president of Somalia, “a number of Brit security firms” who want to get involved, and being given “carte blanche” to use three bases in Somalia along with the air access to reach them. She then suggests that the CIA has been continually informed of the plans. In one reply Ballarin says, “A forced entry operation [into the capital of Somalia] at this point without the addition of follow-on forces who can capitalise on the momentum/initiative of the initial op will result in a replay of Dien Bien Phu”. Upon being exposed, Ballarin told Africa Confidential, a highly respected newsletter, that her company’s operations in Somalia were “classified”.

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