RELEASE: Gottheimer Leads Intelligence Committee Trip to Djibouti

Above: Gottheimer with a service member from New Jersey.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, returned from a congressional delegation (CODEL) to the Republic of Djibouti. There, he met with the U.S. Ambassador, military leaders, and U.S. service members stationed at Camp Lemonnier, including service members from New Jersey. He received briefings on America’s national security priorities in the region, with a focus on combating the threat posed by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.

“Our service members in Djibouti are on the front lines, keeping terrorists from threatening the American homeland and our allies,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I was proud to meet with the men and women who serve there, including those from New Jersey, and to thank them for their extraordinary sacrifice for our country. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have attacked commercial ships and threatened global trade, and we must keep the pressure on them. America’s presence in this region is essential to fighting terrorists, safeguarding trade routes, and keeping America safe.”

Djibouti is home to Camp Lemonnier, the largest U.S. military base in Africa and the headquarters of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), part of U.S. Africa Command. Established in 2002 after the September 11 attacks, CJTF-HOA’s U.S. service members work to build partner nation capacity, promote regional security and stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. interests across East Africa.

Djibouti sits beside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for a significant share of global trade. With Iran-backed Houthi attacks threatening commercial vessels in the Red Sea, Gottheimer stressed the need to protect freedom of navigation and keep supply chains and prices stable for Jersey Families. He also received briefings on counterterrorism operations across East Africa.

Gottheimer also raised serious concerns about the growing military and economic footprint of the Chinese Communist Party, which operates an overseas military base in Djibouti, and emphasized that the United States must stay engaged and offer a strong alternative to Beijing’s coercion. Gottheimer also received briefings on counterterrorism operations across East Africa. 

Below: Gottheimer with the US Ambassador to Djibouti.

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