In Somalia, battle looms for militants' last major stronghold

Air and sea attacks around the key Somali port city of Kismayo this week point to a long-awaited offensive by the African Union Mission in Somalia against seasoned Al Shabab fighters.

By Mike Pflanz,?Correspondent / September 6, 2012

A peacekeeper from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) carries a rocket-propelled grenade launcher as he stands guard after capturing the former private Elmaan seaport from Al Shabab insurgents without resistance, 19 miles east of Mogadishu, September 4.

Feisal Omar/Reuters

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Air and seaborne offensives around Kismayo, the last major stronghold of Somalia?s Al Qaeda-linked Islamists, suggest that the start of the long-awaited battle for the city is imminent.

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Sustained artillery strikes, launched from Kenyan Navy warships, hit areas north of the city?s port and its airport on Tuesday night, and there were reports of extra Kenyan fighter jets patrolling the sky above.

Earlier the same day, small-arms battles took place in Mido, 50 miles north of Kismayo and the latest in a series of towns wrestled from the militant Al Shabab in recent weeks.

But Kismayo is by far the biggest target, still hosting senior Islamist commanders, battle-hardened infantry, and non-Somali Muslims drawn to fight for radical Islam.

Most important, Kismayo?s Indian Ocean port allows imports of both weapons and logistical supplies, and exports of charcoal, Al Shabab?s main source of revenue. (See map here.)
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Kicking the Islamists out of the city was one of the highest-priority military aims of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) when they were ordered over the border into their anarchic neighbor close to a year ago.

Now, the Kenyans say they are waiting only for the green light from African Union military commanders in Mogadishu. Kenya?s forces officially joined the AU Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, in July.

?Our plan is in place, it is ready, but we cannot for sure say the date of the start of the invasion of Kismayo, because that is out of our hands,? says Col. Cyrus Oguna, spokesman for the KDF.

?That decision will be determined by the African Union commanders. Kismayo is a very significant target as it is the only large port that Al Shabab still controls.

?Taking it truly will disrupt their commercial activities," he continues, "and therefore their military capabilities.?

Preparations and evacuation

People living in Kismayo have reported preparations for the invasion for the last three months, including orders that clan elders must provide 150 fresh recruits each to be trained to defend the city.

?Shabab troops are patrolling in battlewagons and calling people to join the fighting, and telling young men to prepare to go to the frontlines,? Mahmoud Jamac, a resident of Kismayo contacted by telephone, said Thursday. ?Foreign fighters are here. It?s terrifying, increasing numbers of people in the town are evacuating.?

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/muB4n_E-Vz8/In-Somalia-battle-looms-for-militants-last-major-stronghold

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