June 13, 2012 | Posted by admin

NAIROBI—Kenya’s prime minister said his country’s forces are planning a “final onslaught” against the Somali port city of Kismayo, al-Shabab’s main supply center and funding source, before Somalia’s planned Aug. 20 presidential elections.

“Without controlling Kismayo, it’s very difficult to completely neutralize al-Shabab,” said Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a news briefing in Nairobi Tuesday. The militant Islamist group supports itself by skimming profits from Somalia’s second-busiest port.

Mr. Odinga said that Kenya requested military support from the European Union and the U.S., but he added that financial assistance was the more likely option. Mr. Odinga said EU and U.S. …

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