U.S. Sends Weapons to Help Somali Government Repel Rebels Tied to Al-Qaeda

[babylonsister]

U.S. Sends Weapons to Help Somali Government Repel Rebels Tied to Al-Qaeda

By Stephanie McCrummen
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, June 25, 2009


The United States has sent a shipment of weapons and ammunition to the government of Somalia, according to a U.S. official who said the move signals the Obama administration's desire to thwart a takeover of the Horn of Africa nation by Islamist rebels with alleged ties to al-Qaeda.

The shipment arrived in the capital, Mogadishu, this month, according to the official, who is helping craft a new U.S. policy on Somalia and spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

"A decision was made at the highest level to ensure the government does not fall and that everything is done to strengthen government security forces to counter the rebels," the official said.

Still, the situation in the volatile nation continues to deteriorate. Somalia's government issued an urgent plea last weekend for foreign troops as the heaviest fighting in months has engulfed the capital and other regions, killing more than 200 people, including the minister for internal security and the police chief. Fighting since early May has displaced more than 120,000 people, with scores of legislators also fleeing the country, paralyzing parliament.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/24/AR2009062403495.html?hpid=moreheadlines

[NOW tense]

1. In the 4 blocks

that the Somali government runs?

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. Somalia has a government?

Who knew?

[Democracyinkind]

3. Whoever the "government" is. I hope they know.

The Somalian "Government" my ass. We should come clean with what the fuck we are doing there and help them to draw some kind of distinctive lines there instead of propping up every seperatist oil or gun backed faction there. There should be change in our Eastern African policy, these games are to bushy, it's no use propping a "gov" when your prop antigov factions at the same time.

More terror to come. And now that they have picked up the art of suicide bombing, the US will never change its policy, propping the Puntland Oligarchy there while balancing the eastern coast off with an ever changing melee of crooks, liars, double agents and aspiring despots. Can't wait to see this new "Somalian policy" though. Maybe we really commit ourselves in a sensible way... there's always hope.

I find the Washington Post to be a strange paper.

[dembotoz]

4. if the weapon is pointed at someone who is not Al-Qaeda

does the gun not work???????