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| Africa North |
| North African states at risk of being overrun by al-Qaeda |
| 2010-11-03 |
| Al-Qaeda is poised to overrun five states in North Africa and the Middle East, creating terrorist safe havens from which the network can launch attack on the West, Europe and the US have been warned. Mauritania, Mali and Niger have seen a steady escalation of al-Qaeda activity targeting Western aid workers and experts. Somalia, to their east, has disintegrated in the face of Islamist assault. In Yemen, across the Red Sea from Somalia, security forces have been waging a losing battle against resurgent jihadist armies that have claimed the lives of dozens of troops. Amadou Marou, the President of Niger's National Consultative Council has been in Europe with a grim message for governments. "Somalia got away from us", he said, "and northern Mali is in the process of getting away from us". Mohamed Abdillahi Mohamed, Somalia's new Prime Minister, has also called on the US and Europe to "step up to the plate". Aid to Somalia, he said, "is not an option, it's a necessity. We are dealing with al-Shabaab, who are extremists and seeking to take their war throughout the world". |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #2 What does Mo Ab Mo mean, step up to the plate? Some sort of Somali slang or reference? |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2010-11-03 17:49 |
| #1 ...called on the US and Europe to "step up to the plate. We will apply roach spray liberally and repeat as necessary. More aid ain't the answer. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2010-11-03 17:32 |