This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6220797.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Somali militia abandon stronghold Somali militia abandon stronghold
(40 minutes later)
Somali Islamist militiamen have fled the southern port city of Kismayo - their last major stronghold.Somali Islamist militiamen have fled the southern port city of Kismayo - their last major stronghold.
The prime minister said the city was in government hands after the overnight retreat that came without warning. The prime minister said the city was now controlled by the Ethiopian-backed transitional government.
It follows clashes in nearby Jilib between Islamists and Ethiopian troops supporting the transitional government, which is trying to assert its power. The retreat from Kismayo is seen as a major reversal for the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), a militia that swept through much of Somalia last year.
Thousands of civilians have fled the area, and local aid workers say many are in dire need of food and shelter. A large-scale intervention by Ethiopian troops has helped the government seize UIC-held ground over the past week.
"Kismayo is already in the hands of the government. The Islamists have run away... the airport and the seaport are free. There are still some mopping up operations," Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi told AFP news agency. The Islamists had withdrawn to Kismayo on Thursday, after abandoning the capital Mogadishu as a result of heavy fighting involving Ethiopian artillery, tanks and aircraft.
He said the death toll was "not available yet but there are no big casualties". But early on Monday, Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi told AFP news agency: "Kismayo is already in the hands of the government. The Islamists have run away."
Q&A: Somali conflict Eyewitness: Fear and anger Conflict in pictures Q&A: Somali conflict Eyewitness: Fear and anger Conflict in pictures
The prime minister said they were still "mopping up operations".
He added that the number of deaths had not yet been counted, but stressed there were "no big casualties".
Some 3,000 Islamist fighters were believed to be in Kismayo, about 300km (185 miles) south-east of the capital, Mogadishu.Some 3,000 Islamist fighters were believed to be in Kismayo, about 300km (185 miles) south-east of the capital, Mogadishu.
Their retreat follows fierce fighting with Ethiopian troops around Jilib, 100km north of Kismayo.Their retreat follows fierce fighting with Ethiopian troops around Jilib, 100km north of Kismayo.
Somalia's interim government vowed on Monday to pursue the Islamists. However, reports say Ethiopian forces are advancing cautiously, fearing mines and booby traps. Somalia's interim government vowed to pursue the Islamists. However, reports say Ethiopian forces are advancing cautiously, fearing mines and booby traps.
The militias are reportedly retreating south towards the border with Kenya, where security has been re-enforced on the Kenyan side in an effort to prevent them from crossing over.The militias are reportedly retreating south towards the border with Kenya, where security has been re-enforced on the Kenyan side in an effort to prevent them from crossing over.
On Sunday Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki announced he was calling a summit of East African countries to discuss the situation.On Sunday Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki announced he was calling a summit of East African countries to discuss the situation.
Ethiopian artillery and troops officially entered Somalia, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.
Food shortagesFood shortages
The Islamists earlier vowed to resist the Ethiopian and Somali government troops who forced them out of the capital on Thursday. An Islamic commander, Sheikh Yaqub Ishak, confirmed his forces had left Kismayo, but said they would not "stop fighting the Ethiopian invader".
Ethiopian aircraft and artillery are backing Somalia's governmentIslamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed said his forces were "ready to fight the enemy of Allah" and had only left Mogadishu "to prevent bloodshed". Ethiopian aircraft and artillery are backing Somalia's government
Somalia's interim government has called for talks with the Islamists. The Islamists have rejected offers of talks with the government, saying Ethiopia must withdraw its forces first.
However, the Islamists say they will not enter any dialogue unless Ethiopian forces vacate the country. Ethiopian troops officially entered Somalia on 24 December, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.
Ethiopia accuses the Islamist militia of harbouring terrorists. Ethiopia accuses the UIC of harbouring al-Qaeda militants. This is denied by the militia, which was set up to restore order in Mogadishu.
The militia has its origins in a Union of Islamic Courts, known as the UIC, that was established to restore order in Mogadishu. The UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending its influence to much of central and southern Somalia.
The UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending its influence to much of southern Somalia.
Some analysts say the UIC's popularity stemmed from its ability to transcend the clan enmities that have bedevilled Somalia since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.Some analysts say the UIC's popularity stemmed from its ability to transcend the clan enmities that have bedevilled Somalia since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
Almost all Somalis are Muslim, and after years of lawlessness many were happy to have some kind of law and order under the UIC.
Much of Somalia faces food shortages because of recent heavy floods.
The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.