A "new and upgraded version" of the Rafael Iron Dome air-defence system has successfully completed a series of flight tests, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on 1 February. The test campaign involved "a number of scenarios simulating advanced threats with which the Iron Dome is expected to contend during times of conflict, whether on land or in the sea", it said without providing details of the upgrade. The new version is expected to be delivered to the Israeli Air Force for operational use and will be carried by the Israeli Navy's new Sa'ar 6 corvettes.US soldiers visited Somalia just days after being withdrawn from the country, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced on 2 February. It released a photograph of US soldiers at the base used by the Danab, an elite Somali force the United States has been expanding into a brigade, at the Baledogle airstrip on 28 January. The US also had a base at the airstrip, but this has been evacuated as part of the withdrawal that was ordered by former US president Donald Trump and completed on 15 January. AFRICOM said the visit demonstrated that its mission has not changed and remains committed to supporting local forces. "AFRICOM forces continue to train, advise, and support Somali and other East African partners," it said.
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