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March 8, 2010

US-Backed Somali Troops Prepare Major Offensive
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In news from Africa, the New York Times reports the US is helping the
Somali government prepare a major offensive to take the capital of
Mogadishu from Islamist militants. Over the past six months, Somalia has
farmed out young men to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Sudan for
military instruction, and most are now back in the capital, waiting to
fight. So far, most of the US military assistance to the Somali
government has been focused on training, but a US official told the
Times he expects US covert forces will get involved in the offensive.
The official said, “What you’re likely to see is air strikes and Special
Ops moving in, hitting and getting out."



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