A United States Congressman has introduced bipartisan legislation to designate Kenya as a Qualified Hazardous Duty Area (QHDA), ensuring that US servicemembers stationed in the country receive critical tax exclusion benefits. The proposed designation follows the continued threat posed by the Somali-based Al-Shabaab terror group, which recently launched mortar attacks on Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport and nearby residential areas. This attack came a day after an attempted assassination of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was thwarted.
Al-Shabaab has also continued incursions into Kenya, including the kidnapping of five chiefs in Mandera last month. In Lamu County, over 100 suspected militants briefly occupied a remote village, gathered residents, delivered a sermon, and distributed food before disappearing into the dense Boni Forest.
While most US military operations in East Africa are conducted from the Naval Expeditionary Base at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, troops are also based at the Cooperative Security Location Manda Bay in Malindi. In 2022, the base came under attack from Al-Shabaab, resulting in the deaths of Army Specialist Henry Mayfield Jr. and civilian contractors Dustin Harrison and Bruce Triplett.
A similar designation has been proposed for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, all in the Sahel region, where violent extremist organisations and political instability—marked by military coups—have escalated.
The militant groups in the Sahel include Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and Islamic State in the West African Province (ISWAP).
With the withdrawal of French partner forces, US military personnel in the Sahel now operate with limited additional support, including medical evacuation services. The proposed legislation offers much-needed backing for the relatively small number of US servicemembers in the region, with an estimated total cost of just $3 million over the next decade. The bill ensures that when a country loses its IDP designation, the QHDA status will automatically end, ensuring that benefits are provided only as long as necessary.
The Bill, introduced by Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT), has bipartisan support from fellow lawmakers and endorsements from military organisations, including the Special Operations Association of America and the Military Officers Association of America.
“It has been my priority on the Ways and Means Committee to represent the interests of our military servicemembers through commonsense tax policies like this,” said Moore. “The Sahel region poses acute threats to the American homeland, and our servicemembers stationed there should be given every possible advantage from Congress. At a time when terrorist activity in the Sahel is ramping up and Russian mercenaries are exerting influence, now is the time to provide this low-cost tax exclusion to uniformed Americans risking their lives.”
The QHDA designation allows servicemembers deployed in hazardous areas to exclude their compensation from federal taxes. Currently, only countries where servicemembers receive Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) qualify. Kenya, Mali, Chad, and Burkina Faso have already been designated as IDP areas.
The legislation has been introduced alongside Congressmen Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Austin Scott (R-GA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Trent Kelly (R-MS), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Pat Fallon (R-TX), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Don Davis (D-NC), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), and Cory Mills (R-FL).
“The Sahel region faces increasing threats from violent extremist organisations and mercenary groups, including Russian proxies, and our servicemembers operate in extremely dangerous conditions,” said Congressman Panetta. “This legislation acknowledges the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make every day to bring stability to a politically unstable region. Providing this tax benefit is a small way to honour their service.”
Congressman Scott added, “As our foreign adversaries expand their influence in the Sahel, the risk to our servicemembers in that region increases. It only makes sense that they receive benefits that reflect that risk.”
Congressman Schneider emphasised that “the Sahel has become the epicentre of global terrorism, accounting for over half of terrorism-related deaths worldwide. Our servicemembers stationed there confront escalating violence and increasingly complex threats, often under conditions as dangerous as combat zones. This bipartisan effort acknowledges their sacrifices by extending well-deserved tax benefits.”
Congresswoman Kiggans stated, “Our servicemembers in high-risk areas sacrifice so much for our country. As threats in the Sahel region continue to rise, we must do everything in our power to take care of our troops, neutralise terrorist activity, and restore stability. Providing tax exclusion benefits to our brave servicemembers in dangerous areas like the Sahel is a no-brainer.”
Congressman Nunn echoed the sentiment, saying, “Our servicemembers face an increasingly deadly and complex threat landscape in the Sahel. Their fight against extreme terrorists and Russian mercenaries is critical to peace and stability, and we’re here to support them all the way.”
Congressman McCormick, a former Marine officer, said, “As someone who has served in hazardous theatres, I understand the added pressures and risks. The QHDA designation rightly recognises the sacrifices of our servicemembers and ensures they receive the benefits they have earned.”
The Special Operations Association of America also voiced strong support. “Today, there is no sanctuary for servicemembers—at home or abroad,” said Executive Director David Cook. “This legislation is far overdue, and we applaud Congressman Panetta and his bipartisan colleagues for bringing it forward.”
MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly (Ret.) added, “Extending tax benefits to our personnel operating in challenging environments aligns with military priorities. We appreciate the bipartisan leadership in championing this legislation to recognise and compensate troops facing hazardous conditions.”
