U.S.-backed Somalian offensive might be launched

(GIN)—A U.S.-backed offensive could be launched in a few weeks against the insurgent Al-Shabaab rebels who are already controlling much of the East African nation of Somalia.

“What you’re likely to see is airstrikes and Special Ops moving in, hitting and getting out,” said an unnamed official to The New York Times.

In recent months, U.S. advisers have helped supervise the training of Somali forces to prepare them to be deployed in the offensive. It is hoped the offensive will help the western-backed transitional federal government (TFG) expel the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamist militiamen from the Somali capital.