Al-Qaida collaborating with Somali fighters

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Leaders from al-Qaida are reportedly in talks with the combatant Mujahedin Youth Movement in Somalia to coordinate anti-government strikes, officials say.

Intelligence officials in the transitional Somali government told the pan-Arab news service Asharq al-Awsat that al-Qaida leaders moved recently beyond an ideological relationship with the hard-line Youth Movement.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said al-Qaida was coordinating with the movement to launch military action in the region.

"Al-Qaida is involved in the military operations taking place against the government forces and the African Union's peacekeeping forces," the official said.

The source added a Pakistani general was in charge of coordinating the military action of the Youth Movement, noting there were as many as 2,000 al-Qaida fighters descending on the region.

The so-called Mujahedin Youth Movement emerged in April 2007 with statements threatening the life of Somali government officials. The push came as part of a broader effort by al-Qaida to establish a base of operations in the Horn of Africa.

Somalia has witnessed widespread conflict in recent years. The latest fighting between Islamic insurgents and government troops in Somalia brought the death toll to around 30 people, according to July figures.