UK set to fight Al-Shabab in Somalia

The UK will send 250 troops to Somalia as the country battles against Al Shabab terrorists. The move, to take place within the next 12 months and will represent the first official engagement of the new Army Ranger regiment.

The decision comes just months after the creation of the Special Operation Brigade was announced by former SAS commander General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, who currently heads the British Army.

Though he did specify where it would be sent or for how long, sources last night confirmed the troops are to be based in Somalia, where they will train the country’s special forces in counter insurgency tactics to allow them to take on All-Shabab.

Al Shabab is affiliated to Al Qaeda and currently battling the United Nations backed government in Somalia where government troops are reported to be poorly trained and equipped.

Al Shabab also carried out a massive attack on a Kenyan military base in el-Ade, Somalia, in January 2016 which killed 180 soldiers. It has also staged several attacks in Kenya, including the 2015 massacre at Kenya's Garissa University, near the border with Somalia.

A total of 148 people died when gunmen stormed the university at dawn and targeted Christian students.

The US has issued a $6m (£4.5m) bounty for information leading to the capture of the group’s leader Ahmad Umar, also known as Abu Ubaidah.

An announcement confirming Somalia as the location of the Army Rangers' first operation is expected to be made during next month's G7 summit in Cornwall.

“Our people will replace US Special Forces who have been training Somali forces,”’ said a source last night.