• Somalia’s president urged the military to prepare for a “state of war” against the al-Shabab extremist group.
  • The US will play a supporting role in the offensive.
  • The death toll from the truck bombing reached 358 and dozens are still missing.

 

Somalia’s president on Saturday urged troops to prepare for a “state of war” against the al-Shabab extremist group blamed for the country’s deadliest attack, as the toll reached 358 with dozens still said to be missing a week after the truck bombing in Mogadishu.

The United States is expected to play a supporting role in the new offensive, a Somali military official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.