Allied forces move closer to the port city of Kismayo, militants flee - 08/25/2012

Somali and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces are moving closer to rebel-held port city of Kismayo, to wrest control from Al shabab, reports said on Saturday.

Residents in the border town of Dhobley, told Shabelle Media by telephone that Somali and Kenyan military forces backing by tanks and artillery left from the town to Kismayo, 500 Km south of Mogadishu.

Sources said The joint forces are massing in villages located few Kilometers away from the strategic coastal town of Kismayo and the Al shabab fighters began Saturday, vacating from the city to their nearby strongholds in Lower Jubba region.

The move by coalition forces is seen as a step forward in the fight against Al-Shabaab rebel group and also a significant step towards taking over of Kismayo from the Al Qaeda-linked militants.

The Kenyan military entered Somalia in October last year, without AU authorization, after several kidnappings and grenade attacks in their country, but the troops were officially absorbed into the AU force in June 7, 2012.

Source: http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=25556&tirsan=3