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Subscribe to RSSThe U.S. military is using small spy aircraft disguised as private planes as it expands secret intelligence operations across Africa, The Washington Post reported late Wednesday.
The surveillance missions are part of a "growing shadow war against al-Qaida affiliates and other militant groups," the newspaper said.
Citing a former U.S. commander, the Post said about dozen air bases have been set up for the unarmed spy planes in Africa since 2007. The newspaper said they include sites in Burkina Faso, Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya as well as in the Seychelles.
The report added:
"The surveillance is overseen by U.S. Special Operations forces but relies heavily on private military contractors and support from African troops.
The surveillance underscores how Special Operations forces, which have played an outsize role in the Obama administration’s national security strategy, are working clandestinely all over the globe, not just in war zones. The lightly equipped commando units train foreign security forces and perform aid missions, but they also include teams dedicated to tracking and killing terrorism suspects."
The Post said that the U.S. Africa Command declined to comment on "specific operational details."
However, the command confirmed that it worked "closely with our African partners ... to conduct missions or operations that support and further our mutual security goals."
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I guess it's not a secret anymore! Got to love the media and its complete disregard of "secret military plans" to make a story. I can see it now... Next headline report "257 Dead When Plane was Shot Down, Mistaken as Military Spy Plane."
i guess we will be killing more people for democracy.
Why is it people are blaming the government for what the media does? The Media doesn't even take sides with the government. Isn't it a bit obvious by now? Why would they tell you our special forces are Africa? They would've kept that a secret if it was our government.
" They would've kept that a secret if it was our Government ", I'm sure you are right Michael, after all they've done such a good job of keeping the cyberwar against Iran and the help of the doctor in Pakistan a secret haven't they ! ? ! ?
More leaks again ! Dang ! Obama has a big mouth.
You really don't know how the world works, do you.....
There are individuals, groups and nations who would love to use our national strength to help them move into Africa in order to steal their resources. They will not allow an Organization of the Raw Minerals Exporting Countries (ORMEC) to form. The first step is to de-stabilize the Middle East, then occupation, third de-stabilize Africa and then occupy. The next goal will be South America. The last prize is Asia.
another stupid intervention.
Well it's not so secret now is it? This President is putting lives at risk by allowing this type of information to continue to be put out there. It's purely political meant to show how "Tough" this loser is on foreign policy issues and America's security. By planting stories like this he's endangering the lives of the men in the field. Why are we telling all of our enemies where we are and what we're doing? This makes no sense to me but that explains why I'm not a Democrat - Oh i'm sorry I meant Socialist Democrat....Here's hoping for some real change in 2012 - Impeach the President for treason. Releasing classified information to the enemy is aiding them and this president has been aiding our enemies since he took office...Loser
United States imperialism is the plague of the 21st century. No nation or peoples are safe with this rouge imperialist governments insatiable mania with world domination.
China has developed over the last 30 years a symbiotic relationship with the nations and people of Africa by creating win, win relationships that include balanced economic relationships, infrastructure construction, hospital and health facility development, school construction and a host of other worthwhile and peaceful endeavors.
In the long run who do you think will win the hearts and minds of the African people, US bombs and murder, or Chinese friendship and compassion for the population. The United States policies of military solutions for problems they themselves created is a one way ticket to the scrap heap of history.
And if there was a Republican in the White House, the media would be frothing at the mouth to discredit the idea, and the man.
Most likely preparing to extend and protect the multi-national corporate takeover of Africa or the parts of it that make the top grades in the new climate change environmental reconfiguration of the planet for the interests of the world rich entitled vampire class..
entitled group Ghouls are elite of the living dead and about zombie apocalypse whereas Vampire is undead and entirely different group
It is great to ahve a Nobel Laureate for president.
Africa and african people world wide need to stand up and solve there own problems. America need to stop using terrorism as an excuse to rob the continent for its natural resources. U.S. Africa Command, China, France and any other nation there to exploit the people and the land...GET THE HELL OUT!!!!!!!!!