US providing counter-terrorism military training

The US counter-terrorism force in the Horn of Africa has begun a three-month training exercise with the Ethiopian defence force. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the exercise is being held at the Hurso training camp near Dire Dawa. Infantry forces assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) are providing infantry skills training on small unit tactics. The CJTF-HOA is also providing training for counter-terrorism missions within the Ethiopian army's 12th division. The statement said this was part of Ethiopia's effort to establish the first of three new anti-terrorism battalions. The CJTF-HOA has also provided instruction to the Ethiopian army in vehicle and personnel checkpoint operations, convoy operations, mine detection and casualty treatment. "CJTF-HOA intends to continue working with nations engaged in the global war on terrorism, understanding that the impact of terrorist activity and the methods to best address such activities, may be distinctly different throughout the Horn of Africa region," the statement said. It noted that in some cases, training host nation military forces was the best solution, while in others humanitarian assistance could better address a country's needs. The CJTF-HOA mission covers Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Yemen.