Russia offers support to Somalian army in fight against terrorist groups

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia is ready to supply Somalia’s army with military equipment in its war against terrorism, Russia's foreign minister said Friday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the offer after talks with his Somali counterpart Abshir Omar Jama in Moscow.

Russia's top diplomat said Moscow reaffirmed its readiness to meet the material needs of the Somalian army in its fight against extremists that remain on Somalian territory including al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda."

The offer further underscores Russia’s growing interest in the African continent upstaging the west in countries facing conflict.