Wednesday, March 10, 2010

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A senior US military officer voiced support Tuesday for efforts by the Somali government to take control of the capital Mogadishu, saying it could help ease the country's chronic instability.

Mogadishu and other parts of central and southern Somalia under insurgent control have been bracing for a major offensive by the government and the African Union peacekeeping mission, known as AMISOM.

General William Ward, the head of the US Africa Command, told a Senate hearing that the operation to retake Mogadishu was "a work in progress."

"To the degree the transitional federal government can in fact re-exert control over Mogadishu, with the help of AMISOM and others, I think is something that we would look to do in support," Ward testified.

He declined to give more details but reaffirmed US support for the transitional government of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a moderate Islamist. Insurgent movements include the Shebab, which has ties to Al-Qaeda.

The government "has for now our best potential for helping to turn around some of the instability and lack of governance that we've experienced there," Ward said.

Somalia has lacked an effective government for nearly two decades.

The New York Times, quoting an unnamed official, reported last week that US special operations forces could help the Somali government dislodge militants from Mogadishu.

Many Americans remain haunted by the last US intervention in Somalia which began as a relief operation to avert famine in the early 1990s.

In October 1993, forces loyal to warlord Mohamed Farah Aidid killed 18 US soldiers, dragging some of their bodies through the streets.

Source: AFP

ilatali @ 3/10/2010 9:42 PM EST  And yes, this time the Somali people in and out of the country are openly supporting US involvment once for all. Just avoid massive bomabrdment in the civilian area, Al-Shabab fugative are easy to trace them down, 1-800-AlShabab toll free to pinpoint where they are, so that people can call the Police to pick them up to rehab camps or shoot to kill in the spott. Al-Qadia iyo raga wajiga daboosha sidii "Dumarka, oo dadka dhagaxa ku dilo waqtigooda dhaama horaa loo yiri: "Durdura geel baa ku jabo, damaacina waa u daranyahee, dalkuna waa lama huran, dadkuna waa lama huraan" People are sick and tired of theses batrads barberic diin laawaysha from arab ku sahqeysato, oo dalkoda iyo dadkooda u daran, kii u dagalamo waa in qasas open ah lagu fuliyo. Somalia need ever lasting peace any one against this we say to go hell. Remember dec 2009, Those who kill Benadir Medical Students, I will nto shed for tears. Bal aynu aragno Godane, Shongale, and Robow, Aweys khamiska dumarka soo xirta. Zakeria Hagi aka Darbi-Daarood, adeer is ilaali talada yeysan hoostada ka bixin, Erteria group is gacmo furan ku soo nqodo dalkiina. your last interview with aljazira, you fumbaled, wali Ethiopia ayey maskaxdaada kaga qufalantay ee ale u toobo keen nabada ka shaqeey, nin aan jeclaa baa tahay walaheey.