Somalia: Residents Flee Rebel-Held City as Kenyan Ground Troops Approach

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

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Hundreds of residents have fled the southern port of Kismayo after the Kenyan Navy shelled the town in preparation for a ground operation to capture it, officials and residents said Tuesday. Kismayo is the main remaining stronghold of the Shabab, a rebel group linked to Al Qaeda. Residents say the militants have ordered them not to leave Kismayo, but the prospect of being caught in a war between the militants and the Kenyan forces is outweighing whatever brutal punishment they could get for disobeying. Col. Cyrus Oguna, a Kenyan military spokesman, said seven people believed to be members of the Shabab were killed in shelling on Saturday and Monday. He said that Kenyan ground troops were about 50 miles from Kismayo and moving closer for their assault.

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