UNITED NATIONS, November 10. /TASS/. The tense situation in Somalia requires stepping up efforts in fighting against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group through building up the potential of the country’s security forces and African Union (AU) mission stationed there, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to UN Peter Ilichev said on Tuesday.

"We think that tense military and political situation in Somalia requires stepping up efforts in fighting against Al-Shabaab through strengthening the potential of the AU mission in Somalia and Somalia’s security forces. This in turn confirms the necessity to further broaden support from UN, including material and technical assistance," Ilichev said at the UN Security Council special session.

Russia is concerned with increasing activities of Al-Shabaab in Somalia and its coordination with other terrorist organizations in Africa, including Nigeria’s Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Ansar Dine, Ilichev added. He stressed that Al-Shabaab militants have intensified their attacks in neighboring countries, particularly in Kenya. He also noted the growing terrorist threat in Ethiopia and Djibouti.