By Godfrey Olukya 28-9-2012
Kenya defence forces, (KDF) in Somalia are celebrating the fall of the last Al Shaabab stronghold called Kismayu port which they captured today morning.
Kenya sent her troops in Somalia a few months ago to fight against Al Shabaab terrorists who had started abducting foreign tourists in Kenya, taking them to Somalia before requesting for big ransom.
So far Kenya has lost over ten soldiers but has also killed over 100 Al-Shabaab militants. A few tourists who had been abducted by Al-Shabaab were rescued by Kenyan troops.
‘We have taken control of Kismayu, the last remaining al-Shabaab stronghold in Somalia.’ said excited Kenya army information officer Cyrus Oguna.’ Our troops entered Kismayu at 2.00 am and took over. We have advised locals to avoid areas where the troops are operating.’
No causalities have been reported. The Kenyan army entry into Kismayu port is likely to have been somehow smooth after most of the Al-Shabaab militants reportedly fled the town which had been besieged for several days.
A local leader in Kismayu, Hamuza Sharif however warned that the terrorists might send suicide bombers to attack Kenyan troops in Kismayu.
In other parts of Somalia, AU troops composed of Ugandan, and Burundi troops are also seriously engaging the Al-shabaab militants. On Monday 200 Al-Shabaab troops surrendered with their weapons to AU troops after realizing that they could not cope with the well equipped force against them.
END
