WASHINGTON — A top US official on Friday denied reports of a boost in US military aid to Somalia’s transitional federal government (TFG), and said there was no intention to “Americanize” the conflict in the horn of Africa.

“We have provided limited military support to the TFG… (but) the US does not plan, does not direct, and does not coordinate the military operations of the TFG,” said Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson.

He insisted that The New York Times inaccurately reported last week that US special operations forces could help the Somali government dislodge Al-Qaeda-linked insurgents Shebab from Mogadishu.

“We are not providing nor paying for military advisors for the TFG. There is no desire to Americanize the conflict in Somalia,” Carson said.

Asked to comment on the Somali government’s reconciliation strategy, he said the TFG should “broaden its base as much as possible, to bring in as much clan as possible.”

In Washington’s view, he added, “any moderate Islamists who are seeking peace, are denouncing el Shebab and want to be part of a peace process should in fact be considered for inclusion in the TFG government.”

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.

The head of the US Africa Command, General William Ward, told a Senate hearing Tuesday that he supported the TFG’s effort to retake Mogadishu and bring stability to their nation.

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

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.

More than 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes across Somalia since the start of the year amid “relentless and indiscriminate” fighting, the UN refugee agency said Friday.

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