Somalia: A New al Qaeda Safe Haven? (abc)
Emerging Islamic Extremist Group Threatens U.S. Security, Experts Say

The impoverished, lawless country of Somalia is in danger of becoming the newest safe haven for al Qaeda, say counterterrorism experts.

A group of Islamic militants called al-Shabaab now controls much of southern and central Somalia, and U.S. officials fear that the group, which swears allegiance to Osama bin Laden, is now strong enough to take over the country's capital, Mogadishu, and defeat the weak, American-backed government there.

"U.S. security interests are gravely threatened if a country again becomes what Afghanistan used to be: a safe haven for al Qaeda, a government run by al Qaeda affiliates, and a place where al Qaeda supporters from around the world can come safely and train to get ready to launch terrorist attacks around the world," said former White House counterterrorism advisor and ABC News Consultant Richard Clarke.
There are also concerns that the Somali insurgents have recruited Americans.