top military intelligence official says the Somali extremist group al-Shabaab is poised to formally merge with al-Qaida, expanding the terrorist franchise in East Africa. Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Michael Maples told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday that the propaganda released by both groups recently highlights their ideological similarities, suggesting a merger is forthcoming. al-Shabaab conducts almost daily attacks in Somalia. A merger would strengthen al-Qaida's foothold in East Africa..
WASHINGTON (AP) _ A top military official is telling Congress that the use of roadside bombs in Afghanistan more than doubled in 2008 over the previous year. It has long been known that the fight in Afghanistan has gotten steadily more ferocious as Iraq violence has declined, but Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Michael Maples put some alarming numbers on it in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday. Maples said insurgent attacks increased by 55 percent from 2007 to 2008. Suicide bombings increased by 21 percent and small-arms attacks increased by 33 percent. He said some of these trends reflect more aggressive military operations in Taliban strongholds by U.S. and other NATO forces.http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/10/official-somali-group-expected-to-join-al-qaida/
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