DJIBOUTI EAC: IMPLICATIONS OF SOMALIA AIR STRIKES

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000436

SIPDIS

DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2018
TAGS: ASEC DJ MOPS PTER SO
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI EAC: IMPLICATIONS OF SOMALIA AIR STRIKES

Classified By: RSO Ellen Tannor for reasons 1.4 (d)


1. (C) On May 5, 2008, Djibouti's Emergency Action Committee
(EAC) met to discuss possible security implications in
Djibouti from a U.S. air strike in Somalia that killed
al-Shabaab leader Aden Hashi Ayrow. The EAC was led by DCM
and attended by RSO, ORA, USLO, CJTF-HOA CCE, PD, POL/ECON,
IMO, MGT, USAID and visiting AF/E Desk Officer.


2. (C) RSO briefed EAC on the April 30 air strike in Somalia
and the Al-Shabaab target that was eliminated. RSO noted
that al-Shabaab members had vowed to take revenge on
Americans and American interests. DCM reviewed press
guidance on the strike, but it was noted that conventional
wisdom would lead people to believe the strike was carried
out from Djibouti, host to the only U.S. military base in
Africa. RSO noted that local sources and staff have noted
rising anti-U.S. sentiment since the air strike, duly
exacerbated by a large influx of refugees and immigrants from
southern Somalia. It was stated that most Djbioutians are
ethnic Somalis and empathetic to their Somali neighbors
ravaged by war and instability.



3. (C) RSO and ORA briefed the EAC on Djibouti's hosting of
talks between Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG)
and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS)
commencing in Djibouti on May 10. It is noted that Somali
leaders, possibly members of the deposed Somali Council of
Islamic Courts (CIC) or (ARS) accompanied by armed security
members will be staying at the Imperial Hotel, which is
located less than one mile away from the Embassy compound.
This hotel is not used by the Embassy but is currently used
by military personnel at CJTF-HOA who take their 96-hours
pass off base. As this hotel was recently given a poor
ranking by the U.S. CENTCOM vulnerability assessment team,
coupled with the anticipated guests, EAC agreed RSO would
make a recommendation to the Executive Officer at Camp
Lemonier not to utilize this hotel for security reasons.


4. (C) The EAC also discussed the recent border dispute
between Eritrea and Djibouti and agreed that this situation
was unlikely to result in military action as the Government
of Djibouti (GoDJ) is actively engaged in talks with Eritrea.
GoDJ has also taken this issue to both the African Union and
United Nations, who have both publicly urged restraint and
diplomacy.


5. (C) RSO reviewed the Embassy's security posture and the
EAC deemed it sufficient as the Embassy has been on
heightened alert for several months due to various security
concerns in the region. Currently, the Embassy is engaged in
Random Anti-Terrorist Measures (RAMs) with the Marines at
Camp Lemonier. Both SD and Mobile Patrol have increased and
varied patrols and rotations; host government plice, who
secure the outer perimeter, are on heightened alert. RSO
briefed EAC on the need to act as their own best surveillance
detection given the amount of new refugees and immigrants
from southern Somalia now taking solace in Djibouti, and in
and around Emboff residential neighborhoods. The EAC agreed
that a warden message was not necessary at this time, and
that current travel warnings are sufficient.


6. (C) Point of contact for this report is RSO Ellen Tannor,
(253) 353-995, IVG 597 2307.
SYMINGTON