uesday, July 1, 2014
Al-Shabaab has the "capability and intent" to spread its attacks beyond its strongholds in Somalia, UN Special Representative to Somalia Nicholas Kay warned Saturday (June 28th), calling for greater regional cooperation to combat the threat.
"[Al-Shabaab] is an organisation that has a regional agenda," Kay said according to AFP. "The very top leadership of the organisation see themselves as pursuing something above and beyond just a Somalia national agenda."
"It has had the capability and intent to carry out attacks across the region for some time," he said, adding that this intent is "stronger now".
Al-Shabaab has launched a series of attacks on countries that contribute troops to the 22,000 African Union Mission in Somalia troops deployed since 2007.
"It does require the countries of the region, with the support of the international community, to be much more joined up in their approach," Kay said, calling for greater information sharing and stronger border controls.
Source: SABAHI