The United States accused Eritrea on Thursday of “fanning the flames of violence” in Somalia and demanded that it halt its support for extremist groups in Mogadishu.

• UN blames Eritrea over dispute 

• Two killed in Eritrea border clash 

  The US statement followed reports by Somali security officials that insurgents were gathering for a major offensive to seize control of Mogadishu.

  President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was holed up in the presidential compound and residents were fleeing the city.

  “The United States urges the government of the state of Eritrea to stop fanning the flames of violence in Somalia,” State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement.

  Kelly said the transitional federal government in Mogadishu has come under repeated attack from extremist groups pursuing a radical agenda “that can only promote further acts of terrorism and lead to greater regional instability.”

  “Eritrea has been instrumental in facilitating support of the extremists to commit these attacks. This support must cease immediately,” he said.

  Eritrea’s support for anti-government forces was “a serious obstacle” to more normal relations with the United States, he added.

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