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Africa Horn | ||
Somalia is seeking Russia’s help in fighting Shaboobs | ||
2016-04-20 | ||
Somalia is asking Russia to help equip its armed forces to fight terrorism in the Horn of Africa nation, where Islamic militant group al-Shabab is waging a deadly insurgency against the Western-backed government, according to Sputnik news agency, which is owned and operated by the Russian government.
“Support in peacekeeping operations is one of the possible aspects of strengthening our armed forces. It is highly important for us to strengthen our law enforcement agencies to fight terrorism. Therefore, we would like to request such support from you,” Sharmarke apparently said at the meeting in Moscow. “We expect closer Somalia-Russia cooperation.” During Tuesday’s meeting, Lavrov said Russia is ready to consider military cooperation to help Somalia battle terrorism in the hostile region.
Al-Shabab, whose name means “the youth,” emerged in 2006 from the now-defunct Islamic Courts Union, which once commanded Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu. The Sunni extremist group launched its own insurgency on major Somali cities in 2009, taking control of Mogadishu and southern Somalia until it was pushed out by domestic and international forces around 2012. Al-Shabab regularly targets officials in its efforts to topple Somalia’s Western-backed government as well as civilians and non-Muslims. Although it’s based in Somalia, al-Shabab also has launched deadly attacks in neighboring countries. Many areas of south-central Somalia are still under al-Shabab’s control, and the militants have increased efforts in recent months to recapture lost territories. Decades of civil war has also ravaged much of Somalia’s economic infrastructure, institutions and government structure, according to the World Bank. Clan warlords have battled for power in the East African country since the collapse of a | ||
Posted by:Steve White |
#4 they're with the Elite Iranian Republican Guards™ and Saddam's Elite Military™ |
Posted by: Frank G 2016-04-20 18:04 |
#3 Now defunct Islamic Courts? What became of Powerful Islamic Courts? |
Posted by: Shipman 2016-04-20 17:23 |
#2 Oh goodie. A new mark. Leave and let the Somalis spend their considerable idle time on things like growing food. |
Posted by: Betty Hitler2611 2016-04-20 07:30 |
#1 Not USA? I guess Somalis are prejudiced against transgendered people---or, maybe, they are just racists. |
Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2016-04-20 00:10 |