MOGADISHU, SOMALIA: Kenyan troops from the African Union force in Somalia entered the southern port of Kismayu for the first time yesterday, witnesses said.
Local clan militia had filled the streets since Saturday’s rebel pullback, raising fears that the second city in southern and central Somalia — which Al-Shabab had run for four years — could descend into chaos.
“They arrived from the west of the city and are taking up positions,” Aden Ismail, a local trader said.
At least two other witnesses confirmed to AFP that Kenyan soldiers from the 17,000-strong African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) had entered the city, after remaining on the outskirts for more than two days.
Kismayu was the main target of an operation launched by the Kenyan military almost a year ago. Its troops have since been integrated into AMISOM, whose bid to stamp out the insurgency is also supported by Ethiopia in western regions.
Observers have said that reclaiming Kismayu would cut off the Shabab’s supply lines, strip them of vital funding and spell the end of their ability to control large swathes of land in southern Somalia.
The power vacuum created by what the militants called their “tactical retreat” — after initially vowing the Indian Ocean would turn red with AMISOM blood — had left Kismayu exposed to chaos and looming shortages.
“The town is very quiet this morning and there is no fighting ... but we have concerns about the clan militia roaming the streets,” Ali Mumin, a resident, said before the Kenyan troops moved in.
It was not immediately clear how many AMISOM troops were taking up position in Kismayu but residents had mixed feelings about the change.
Asha Muhammad Aden, a seller of second-hand clothing, said she had seen “heavily armed Kenyans” entering the city along with Somali officers.
“They are carrying a lot of weapons,” she said.
AU troops enter Somali port of Kismayu
