The hunt for an elusive Somali militant illustrates why Al Shabab, despite a decade of American covert action, are at their strongest in years.
Tag: Mercenaries and Private Military Contractors
Nepal’s Gurkha Soldiers Seek to Flee Afghanistan
Former soldiers from Nepal have long served as private security guards in war-torn Afghanistan. Amid the chaos, they worry that they can’t get home.
Behind the Haiti Assassination, Colombia’s Growing Mercenary Industry
Exporting soldiers has become a vast industry in Colombia, fueled by the country’s long U.S.-backed war, limited opportunity at home and growing demand abroad.
How Colombians Got Embroiled in Haiti Assassination
A revealing look at the effort to recruit Colombian military veterans for what was described as a noble nation-building effort in Haiti but ended with 18 of them arrested and three of them dead.
Murder Mystery: What Were Colombian Military Vets Doing in Haiti?
At least 20 Colombians have been implicated by Haitian officials in the plot to assassinate the president. But their role in the killing, if any, is murky.
Colombia Names 13 Ex-Soldiers Among Haiti Assassination Suspects
One told his wife that he had “a very good job opportunity.” Colombian military veterans have been known to act as hired guns after their service.
Russian Mercenaries Are Driving War Crimes in Africa, U.N. Says
An investigative report says that Russian operatives in the Central African Republic who had been billed as unarmed advisers are actually leading the fighting, including massacres of civilians.
Saudi Operatives Who Killed Khashoggi Received Paramilitary Training in U.S.
The training, approved by the State Department, underscores the perils of military partnerships with repressive governments.
Departure of U.S. Contractors Poses Problems for Afghan Military
It is not just U.S. troops who are withdrawing from Afghanistan. Thousands of private contractors — who help keep the Afghan Air Force flying, among other tasks — are leaving as well.
Where Did Chad Rebels Prepare for Their Own War? In Libya.
Fighting as mercenaries for years, the rebels were ready to pull off their own stunning feat: an invasion that resulted in the death of Chad’s strongman ruler.