WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say the Pentagon wants to expand the military's ability to battle al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia.
That would potentially put U.S. forces closer to the fight against a stubborn extremist group that has plotted attacks against America.
The officials say recommendations sent to the White House would allow U.S special operations forces to increase assistance to the Somali National Army in the struggle against al-Shabab militants.
Bolstering the military effort in Somalia fits with President Donald Trump's broader request for a Pentagon plan to accelerate the U.S.-led battle against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, and defeat other extremist groups, including al-Qaida and its affiliates.
The officials aren't authorized to publicly discuss the confidential review and spoke on condition of anonymity.