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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| US says weapons sent to Somalia | US says weapons sent to Somalia |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| The US has confirmed that it has sent weapons to Somalia's UN-backed transitional government. | The US has confirmed that it has sent weapons to Somalia's UN-backed transitional government. |
| The state department said the move followed an urgent call for help from the government, which has been fighting hardline Islamist militias. | |
| The insurgents control swathes of Somalia and US officials have been alarmed at their gains, analysts say. | The insurgents control swathes of Somalia and US officials have been alarmed at their gains, analysts say. |
| The US would also provide logistical support for training Somali troops, officials said. | The US would also provide logistical support for training Somali troops, officials said. |
| "At the request of that government, the state department has helped to provide weapons and ammunition on an urgent basis," spokesman Ian Kelly said. | "At the request of that government, the state department has helped to provide weapons and ammunition on an urgent basis," spokesman Ian Kelly said. |
| The arms would help the government "repel the onslaught of extremist forces which are intent on... spoiling efforts to bring peace and stability to Somalia", he added. | The arms would help the government "repel the onslaught of extremist forces which are intent on... spoiling efforts to bring peace and stability to Somalia", he added. |
| The US would also provide support for training Somali troops but would not conduct the training themselves, officials said. | The US would also provide support for training Somali troops but would not conduct the training themselves, officials said. |
| Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991. | Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991. |
| President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a moderate Islamist, took office in January but even his introduction of Sharia law to the strongly Muslim country has not appeased the guerrillas. | President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a moderate Islamist, took office in January but even his introduction of Sharia law to the strongly Muslim country has not appeased the guerrillas. |
| Since 7 May, an alliance of militant Islamist hardliners has been locked in ferocious battles with pro-government forces in the capital, Mogadishu. | Since 7 May, an alliance of militant Islamist hardliners has been locked in ferocious battles with pro-government forces in the capital, Mogadishu. |
| The alliance already controls parts of the capital and much of southern Somalia. | The alliance already controls parts of the capital and much of southern Somalia. |
| Last week the Somali government called for urgent foreign military assistance to help prop up the government. | Last week the Somali government called for urgent foreign military assistance to help prop up the government. |