JOHANNESBURG \u2014 Even as destroyed U.S. military aircraft smoldered from an al-Shabab attack that killed three Americans this month in Kenya, the al-Qaida-linked group issued a taunting message to African troops: The U.S. will abandon you just as it did the Kurds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Islamic extremists are already exploiting possible U.S. military cuts in Africa that have caused a rare bipartisan outcry in Washington, with lawmakers stressing the need to counter China and Russia and contain a growing threat from Islamic State group affiliates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a look at the issue that has caused alarm among some U.S. security allies, while the U.S. probes the deadliest attack against its military in Africa since 2017. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
WHAT’S AT STAKE?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worried U.S. partners have pointed out the poor timing of reducing the U.S. military presence: Africa\u2019s extremist groups \u201cset a record pace of activity in 2019\u201d with more than 10,400 killings, a doubling of activity since 2013, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies says in a new report. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. Africa Command, signaling concern over the Pentagon\u2019s potential cuts, has emphasized the Somalia-based al-Shabab as a threat after its leader in November made an unprecedented call to attack Americans wherever they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neither China nor Russia is doing much to counter Africa\u2019s extremist groups, U.S. Africa Command officials added in a briefing last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\t