U.S.-trained Somali troops defect to insurgency
By Katharine Houreld - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Apr 28, 2010 6:42:46 EDT
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Hundreds of Somali troops trained with millions of U.S. tax dollars have deserted because they are not being paid their $100 monthly wage, and some have even joined the al-Qaida-linked militants they are supposed to be fighting, The Associated Press has learned.
The desertions raise fears that a new U.S.-backed effort beginning next month to build up Somalia’s army may only increase the ranks of the insurgency.