Fall of Kismayu imminent after attack

Written By:Diana Okemwa/Kendagor Obadiah,    Posted: Wed, Sep 26, 2012

Military spokesman, Colonel Cyrus Oguna The fall of the Somali port city of Kismayu is now imminent after Kenya Defence Forces jets finally hit the terrorist Al Shabaab stronghold on Tuesday. KDF sources say the airstrikes launched by the Kenya air force destroyed a warehouse and the armoury at the main airport. Speaking to KBC on phone Wednesday , military spokesman, Colonel Cyrus Oguna, said the airstrike that took place is meant to shape up the takeover of the port city which is currently under the control of Al Shabaab. He said  he could not confirm the number of casualties and the extent of property destruction adding that the forces were targeting  areas with less civilian activities and believed to be militia hide outs. Several militants were killed in the deadly attack. The Al Shabaab militants have reportedly begun fleeing the besieged city. Colonel Oguna further said the military has designated areas from which they intend to sneak out civilians wishing to vacate Kismayu ahead of the operation. The attack, comes a week after the joint forces captured adjacent towns of Janak-Abdalla and Harbole where over 100 Al-Shabaab militants were killed. KDF stepped up attacks after they captured Janacabdalla and Harbolle towns last week which are located near Kismayu, killing at least 100 Al Shabaab militants who tried to block their advancement. The attack on Kismayu is seen as a major achievement for the Kenyan forces, who are fighting as a joint force under the AMISOM. Kismayo serves as the last Al-Shabaab stronghold and commercial hub after the group lost its key bases in Mogadishu and south central Somalia to AMISOM and Somali government troops. Kenyan forces were "re-hatted" and joined the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on June 2, 2012, following the signing of an agreement with the African Union. Once Kismayu falls and pacified, the next phase of the operation will be stabilizing the country's political stature and rebuilding the war torn country.