Somali militants ban U.N. food imports

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The Islamic militant group that controls large parts of Somalia says the United Nations' World Food Program must stop importing food into its territory.

Al-Shabaab members have issued a statement indicating the U.N. relief group must buy food from local farmers rather than bringing in outside food aid, the BBC reported Wednesday.

"The bringing of immense quantities of free food rations, and specifically during the harvest season, has been devastating to the agriculture industry in Somalia," the statement said. "It has been decided that the WFP must immediately refrain from bringing food rations from outside of Somalia and rather purchase food from Somali farmers, and then that food will be distributed to the needy in Somalia."

Analysts told the British broadcaster al-Shabaab is seeking to garner support for itself in farming areas, but note Somalia's incessant warfare and drought has left at least 109,000 children dependent on the international agency's imports.

Some estimates contend at least half of all people in southern Somalia, much of which is controlled by al-Shabaab, need food aid. The WFP has come under attack from Somali insurgents, who have carried out raids on its food trucks, warehouses and ships, the BBC reported.