MOGADISHU, (Reuters) – Kenyan troops attacked the Somali port city of Kismayu yesterday, seeking to drive al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants from their last major stronghold and end a five-year rebellion.
The loss of the southern port would deal a huge blow to al Shabaab as it is a lucrative source of revenue and a centre for operations over areas it has controlled in Somalia since 2007, but by nightfall, it was not clear who was in control.
Residents said shelling had subsided after earlier fighting near a beach just outside Kismayu.
No Kenyan forces could be seen in the city centre, where shops and businesses were closed and some preachers called on their followers to join al Shabaab on the frontlines.
“Tension is high. It is getting dark and yet no group controls the town,” resident Ali Gelle said by telephone. “People are afraid shells will be fired and there’s no hope of getting any food,” he said.
Al Shabaab, which formally merged with al Qaeda in February, has been steadily losing its footholds under sustained pressure from African Union peacekeeping forces (AMISOM) and Somali government troops for the past year.
While Kismayu’s recapture would go a long way towards stabilising Somalia, which has been largely lawless for the past 20 years, it may embolden the militants to resort to more guerrilla-style attacks.
Kenyan military spokesman Col. Cyrus Oguna said Kenyan soldiers and Somali government troops had advanced on Kismayu from the north, south and from the sea.
“We’re moving towards the main city,” Oguna told Reuters.
Residents reported fighting near the beach earlier on Friday, about 4 km (2.5 miles) outside the city, as military helicopters hovered overhead.
Many streets were deserted. Some masked men looked on from windows and balconies and the militants appeared to be in control of at least some entrances into the city.
