Mogadishu and other parts of central and southern Somalia under insurgent control have been bracing for a major offensive by the government and the African Union peacekeeping mission, known as AMISOM.

General William Ward, the head of the US Africa Command, told a Senate hearing that the operation to retake Mogadishu was "a work in progress."

"To the degree the transitional federal government can in fact re-exert control over Mogadishu, with the help of AMISOM and others, I think is something that we would look to do in support," Ward testified.

He declined to give more details but reaffirmed US support for the transitional government of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a moderate Islamist. Insurgent movements include the Shebab, which has ties to Al-Qaeda.

The government "has for now our best potential for helping to turn around some of the instability and lack of governance that we've experienced there," Ward said.

Somalia has lacked an effective government for nearly two decades.

President Barack Obama's administration has stepped up support for the transitional government, sending it weapons since last year to help fend off the Shebab.

The New York Times, quoting an unnamed official, reported last week that US special operations forces could help the Somali government dislodge militants from Mogadishu.

Many Americans remain haunted by the last US intervention in Somalia which began as a relief operation to avert famine in the early 1990s.

In October 1993, forces loyal to warlord Mohamed Farah Aidid killed 18 US soldiers, dragging some of their bodies through the streets.

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