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U.S. counterterrorism efforts to grow in Africa

The military is shifting its counterterrorism strategy to focus more on Africa, put decision-making authority in the hands of commanders in the field, and expand the ability to use lethal force against suspected terrorists, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told two senior members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Friday.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters that Mattis outlined the new rules of engagement during back-to-back briefings for Graham and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Graham added that he supported Mattis' plans, and that the secretary had pledged to work more closely with lawmakers to keep them informed about expanding operations and newly identified threats for Congress to exercise oversight authority.

"The war is morphing," Graham said. "You're going to see more actions in Africa, not less; you're going to see more aggression by the United States toward our enemies, not less; you're going to have decisions being made not in the White House but out in the field."

Graham said that other changes to the Pentagon's counterterrorism policy would include the adoption of a "status-based targeting" system for suspected terrorists, meaning troops will be able to use lethal force against a suspected member of a terrorist organization even if that person does not pose an immediate threat.

He said Mattis had informed them that the military would also be changing how it decides when to use ground troops and when troops should be deployed in more of an advisory role.

The changes come as lawmakers have pressed for details about what led to the Oct. 4 ambush in Niger in which four U.S. soldiers were killed.

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