US sends forces to Uganda for possible S. Sudan evacs
The
US military on Tuesday deployed a small team of marines to Uganda to
prepare for possible further evacuations of Americans from
violence-wracked South Sudan, officials said. Pentagon spokesman Colonel
Steven Warren said a "platoon-sized" contingent of marines and a C-130
aircraft had been…
US sends forces to Uganda for possible S. Sudan evacs
18 hours ago
A US army soldier stands guard
as a US army aircraft remains on the runway awaiting the arrival of
American nationals who are being evacuated due to recent unrest and
violence in South Sudan, on December 21, 2013, in Juba (AFP Photo/Samir
Bol)
Washington (AFP) - The US military on Tuesday deployed a
small team of marines to Uganda to prepare for possible further
evacuations of Americans from violence-wracked South Sudan, officials
said.
Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said a "platoon-sized" contingent of marines and a C-130 aircraft had been detached from a deployment in Djibouti and sent to Entebbe, Uganda.
On Monday the Pentagon deployed a roughly 150-strong special Marine Corps unit to Djibouti, the site of a major US base, along with cargo planes and helicopters.
The task force, which has a total of 500 troops, is currently stationed at Moron air base in southern Spain.
Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said a "platoon-sized" contingent of marines and a C-130 aircraft had been detached from a deployment in Djibouti and sent to Entebbe, Uganda.
"This
forward posturing provides the Combatant Commander additional options
and the ability to more quickly respond, if required to help protect US
personnel and facilities," Warren said in an email.
The deployment was made with the knowledge and cooperation of authorities in Uganda, he added.On Monday the Pentagon deployed a roughly 150-strong special Marine Corps unit to Djibouti, the site of a major US base, along with cargo planes and helicopters.
The task force, which has a total of 500 troops, is currently stationed at Moron air base in southern Spain.
The military has already sent in a 47-member joint task force to Juba to reinforce security at the US embassy.
About
100 Americans were evacuated on Sunday after a previous attempt on
Saturday had to be called off when American aircraft came under fire
from the ground, with four troops wounded.
South
Sudan has seen an outbreak of violence since December 15 that has left
thousands dead according to reports received by the United Nations.
South
Sudan declared independence in June 2011 and is still the youngest
country in the world, born out of a bloody decades-long struggle for
independence from Sudan.
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