Somalia Islamists Abandon Kismayo Amid AU Attack
Islamist militants in Somalia say they have withdrawn from their southern stronghold of Kismayo, following an African Union (AU) military attack.
Kenyan and Somali forces launched a beach assault on al-Shabab’s last major bastion on Friday but encountered fierce resistance.
A Somali commander told the BBC that AU forces were not yet in the city.
Kenyan troops are part of a force trying to wrest control of the country for the new UN-backed president.
‘Broader tactics’
Al-Shabab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage told AFP news agency: “The military command of Shabab mujahideen ordered a tactical retreat at midnight.”
Speaking to Reuters, the same spokesman confirmed the withdrawal, but added: “The enemies have not yet entered the town. Let them enter Kismayo, which will soon turn into a battlefield.”
Al-Shabab commander Sheikh Mohamed Abu-Fatma confirmed the withdrawal orders to AFP: “We got orders from our superiors to withdraw from the city… this is part of broader military tactics we have set for the enemy.”
The deputy commander of the Somali forces, Brig Gen Abdikarim Dhagabadan, told the BBC: “I can confirm to you al-Shabab has pulled out of Kismayo but our forces are not yet in the city, but surrounding it.”
On its Twitter account, the Islamists said their five-year administration in Kismayo had now shut its doors.
The al-Shabab-controlled radio station, Radio Andalus, is reported to be off air.
The BBC’s Somalia Service has spoken to residents of Kismayo who confirmed that al-Shabab fighters had left during the night and the city was now calm.
One resident, Aweys, said the police station and main al-Shabab offices were closed, with some teenagers engaged in looting.
“But no-one is going near al-Shabab military bases, because they might be mined,” Aweys said.
A spokesman for the Kenyan military told the BBC he feared the withdrawal might be a trap, so at present no-one is in control of Kismayo, says the BBC’s Gabriel Gatehouse in Nairobi.
Kenyan troops had launched airborne and amphibious landings before dawn on Friday, supported by Somali government forces.
The key beach landing was near the main road to Mogadishu.
The Kenyan military said the city was expected to fall quickly but al-Shabab continued its resistance throughout the day.
BBC
