By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Mogadishu — The United States warned Sunday that anti-American acts could undermine its long-standing partnership with Somalia, after a video circulated showing individuals in Somali National Army uniforms desecrating an American flag.
In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu said such actions threaten bilateral cooperation on security, development and counterterrorism, and ultimately harm the Somali people.
The embassy welcomed the Federal Government of Somalia's "prompt and decisive" response to the incident. It said the United States has provided Somalia with billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded assistance over many years to support security forces and operations against terrorist groups.
"We appreciate the government's swift action in this matter, which reflects the importance both countries place on our bilateral partnership," the embassy said.
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Somalia's Ministry of Defence said separately that all individuals accused of taking part in the incident have been arrested.
The ministry condemned the act and warned it would not tolerate anything that undermines "the dignity, reputation or integrity" of the Somali National Armed Forces. It said those responsible would be held accountable.
The embassy added that individuals seeking to undermine U.S.-Somalia relations "should be held accountable" because their actions hurt ordinary Somalis who benefit from American assistance.