The Obama Administration has decided to add its campaign against al Shabab to the list of conflicts included in the authorization for use of military force approved by Congress after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the New York Times reported Monday. The decision is based on a demonstration of connections between al Shabab leadership and the leadership of al Qaeda, according to the Times. The administration took similar action earlier this year to broaden its authority to conduct airstrikes in Afghanistan and Syria. The US has been conducting self-defense strikes in Somalia, most recently in September, to protect US service members and coalition partners there. But since a March 5 self-defense strike killed 150 fighters, the administration has sought to close what some have criticized as a “loophole,” according to the Times, allowing airstrikes in some cases where US service members are not directly in danger.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
