This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6245943.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US 'targets al-Qaeda' in Somalia US 'targets al-Qaeda' in Somalia
(about 1 hour later)
US air strikes in Somalia are aimed at al-Qaeda leaders in the region, and based on "credible intelligence", a Pentagon spokesman has said.US air strikes in Somalia are aimed at al-Qaeda leaders in the region, and based on "credible intelligence", a Pentagon spokesman has said.
In its first official comment on the air strikes, the Pentagon said a raid was carried out on Sunday but declined to say if it had hit its target.In its first official comment on the air strikes, the Pentagon said a raid was carried out on Sunday but declined to say if it had hit its target.
The US has long said al-Qaeda suspects linked to the 1998 US embassy bombings in East Africa took refuge in Somalia.The US has long said al-Qaeda suspects linked to the 1998 US embassy bombings in East Africa took refuge in Somalia.
At least 19 people were killed in US air raids, local Somali elders say.At least 19 people were killed in US air raids, local Somali elders say.
Fresh air raids have been carried out near the town of Afmadow, 250km further north of Sunday's raid, but it is not clear if these were carried out by the US, or by Ethiopian forces which back the transitional Somali government. Fresh air raids were reported near the town of Afmadow on Monday and Tuesday, but it is not clear if these were carried out by the US, or by Ethiopian forces which back the transitional Somali government.
Location of militias and US Navy patrols
The air strikes are taking place days after the Union of Islamic Courts, which had taken control of much of central and southern Somalia during the past six months, was routed by soldiers from Ethiopia and Somalia's government.The air strikes are taking place days after the Union of Islamic Courts, which had taken control of much of central and southern Somalia during the past six months, was routed by soldiers from Ethiopia and Somalia's government.
Latest reports from the capital, Mogadishu, say unknown assailants have fired rocket propelled grenades at a building housing Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces. Two explosions were heard, followed by a brief but heavy exchange of automatic gunfire. Latest reports from Mogadishu say unknown assailants have fired rocket propelled grenades at a building housing Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces.
Sunday's US attack was carried out by an Air Force AC-130, a heavily-armed gunship that has highly effective detection equipment and can work under the cover of darkness. Two explosions were heard, followed by a brief but heavy exchange of automatic gunfire.
This is the first overt military action by the US in Somalia since 1994, the year after 18 US troops were killed in Mogadishu. 'No safe haven'
The US air strikes were carried out by an Air Force AC-130, a heavily armed gunship that has detection equipment and can work under the cover of darkness.
The US has a right to bombard terrorist suspects who attacked its embassies in Kenya and Tanzania Somali interim president Abdullahi Yusuf Twin US aims in Somalia Fact file: AC-130 gunship White House spokesman Tony Snow said the US action was a reminder that there was no safe haven for Islamic militants.
"This administration continues to go after al-Qaeda," he said.
"We are interested in going after those who have perpetrated acts of violence against Americans, including bombings of embassies in Kenya and Tanzania."
Somalia's interim President, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, said the US had the right to bomb those who had attacked its embassies.Somalia's interim President, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, said the US had the right to bomb those who had attacked its embassies.
But Italy - the former colonial power in central and southern Somalia - condemned the US strikes.
Italian Foreign minister Massimo d'Alema said Rome opposed "unilateral initiatives that could spark new tensions".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed "concern" that the air strikes could lead to an escalation of hostilities.
Return to top