VOA标准英语2011--E. African Nations Back Kenyan Offensive in Somalia

E. African Nations Back Kenyan Offensive in Somalia

 

The six-nation east African regional group the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has pledged full support for Kenya's military offensive against al-Qaeda linked militants¹ in southern Somalia. Other countries in the region are considering joining the effort as the militants appear to be losing their grip on the famine-stricken Somali countryside.

IGAD held an extraordinary ministerial level meeting Friday, five days after Kenya launched an offensive against al-Shabab. More than two battalions² of Kenyan troops backed by air power streamed into southern Somalia after Shabab rebels were blamed for a series of kidnappings of foreign tourists and aid workers.

A communiqué issued after the brief meeting in the Ethiopian capital welcomes Kenya's move to scale up security operations.

Amid reports that Kenyan troops are advancing on the strategic rebel held port of Kismayo, Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula appealed for international support for ending al-Shabab's stranglehold on Somalia.

"We as a region have called upon the international community to support implementation³ of previous decisions to impose no fly zones in al-Shabab dominated areas and a blockade of the port of Kismayo," said Wetangula.

African Union peacekeepers are seen in the Deynile district of the capital Mogadishu, Somalia, October 20, 2011.

Wetangula declined to speculate on how long it might take to subdue⁴ al-Shabab. Reminded that Ethiopia had sent troops to Somalia in 2006 in a failed attempt to dislodge the rebels, the minister suggested Kenyan troops would stay as long as it takes to get the job done.

"Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, IGAD countries want peace yesterday," added Wetangula. "Not even today, so whatever timeline we are looking at is a question of an emergency. We must get rid of this problem as quickly as is practically possible so people can concentrate on human development activities and economic activities. The sooner the better."

Ethiopia's deputy prime minister and foreign minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said his country is considering joining the military campaign. He said it was "high time" for a regional response to al-Shabab's provocations⁵.

"The long term goal is to eradicate⁶ al Shabab from Somalia and this is the proper time and the process shows al-Shabab is coming to an end," said Hailemariam.

Somalia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hamid Ali Masheye reported that government troops backed by African Union AMISOM peacekeepers have been making steady progress in driving the last of al-Shabab remnants out of the capital, Mogadishu. The rebels retreated last month after controlling most of the city for three years.

Masheye said a furious offensive Thursday had succeeded in clearing the last al-Shabab held neighborhood in the capital.

"They are now being defeated in Mogadishu," noted⁷ Masheye. "The Somali National army, getting support from AMISOM, is driving them from Mogadishu. Last night there was a big fight in Mogadishu, and the Somali National Army and AMISOM troops drove them out of their last stronghold in Mogadishu."

Masheye and others confirmed that 10 AMISOM fighters had been killed in the latest clashes. They ridiculed⁸ as propaganda rebel claims that 70 peacekeepers had died.

Uganda and Burundi have approximately 9,000 troops serving in the AMISOM force. AU officials are working on plans to increase the number of peacekeepers to 12,000 by the end of the year.

1 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

2 battalions   

n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍

参考例句：

• God is always on the side of the strongest battalions. 上帝总是帮助强者。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Two battalions were disposed for an attack on the air base. 配置两个营的兵力进攻空军基地。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

4 subdue   

vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制

参考例句：

• She tried to subdue her anger.她尽力压制自己的怒火。
• He forced himself to subdue and overcome his fears.他强迫自己克制并战胜恐惧心理。

5 provocations   

n.挑衅( provocation的名词复数 )；激怒；刺激；愤怒的原因

参考例句：

• We cannot ignore such provocations. 对于这种挑衅，我们不能置之不理。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• They must immediately cease all their provocations. 他们必须停止一切挑衅。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 eradicate   

v.根除，消灭，杜绝

参考例句：

• These insects are very difficult to eradicate.这些昆虫很难根除。
• They are already battling to eradicate illnesses such as malaria and tetanus.他们已经在努力消灭疟疾、破伤风等疾病。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 ridiculed   

v.嘲笑，嘲弄，奚落( ridicule的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Biosphere 2 was ultimately ridiculed as a research debade, as exfravagant pseudoscience. 生物圈2号最终被讥讽为科研上的大失败，代价是昂贵的伪科学。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She ridiculed his insatiable greed. 她嘲笑他的贪得无厌。 来自《简明英汉词典》