The African Union, which maintains the peace-keeping force (Amisom) in Somalia, has asked the United Nations to impose a total no fly zone and port blockade against Somalia in order to stop the illegal supply of arms and ammunition to the militias. Many of the arms are said to be flown in from Eritrea. An air embargo can be enforced through regular patrols of fixed-wing aircraft operating from neighbouring Djibouti, where naval coalition partners have established bases. The use of surveillance satellites and UAVs can also provide crucial intelligence about unauthorized flight movements.

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