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| Islamists at gates of Somali port | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Islamist fighters have reportedly advanced to the outskirts of Kismayo, the only port outside their control in central and southern Somalia. | Islamist fighters have reportedly advanced to the outskirts of Kismayo, the only port outside their control in central and southern Somalia. |
| Residents say the local militia withdrew in 40 trucks without a shot being fired as fighters loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) arrived. | Residents say the local militia withdrew in 40 trucks without a shot being fired as fighters loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) arrived. |
| Thousands of people are reported to have fled the city in recent days. | Thousands of people are reported to have fled the city in recent days. |
| The UIC had said it will occupy Kismayo to stop a foreign peacekeeping force using it as a bridgehead. | The UIC had said it will occupy Kismayo to stop a foreign peacekeeping force using it as a bridgehead. |
| There has been panic that there will be a war in the town but fortunately there has not... and all people are excited that the UIC are coming Abdi Dahir, Kismayo | |
| Earlier this month, the African Union supported a request by Somalia's transitional government, which controls only a small part of the country, to send in a regional peacekeeping force. | Earlier this month, the African Union supported a request by Somalia's transitional government, which controls only a small part of the country, to send in a regional peacekeeping force. |
| The UIC has steadily increased its hold on Somalia since its fighters took control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June, taking control of hundreds of square kilometres of territory while hardly firing a shot. | The UIC has steadily increased its hold on Somalia since its fighters took control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June, taking control of hundreds of square kilometres of territory while hardly firing a shot. |
| The country's transitional government is confined to a single town, Baidoa, and its president was the victim of a recent assassination attempt. | The country's transitional government is confined to a single town, Baidoa, and its president was the victim of a recent assassination attempt. |
| However, it remains recognised internationally as Somalia's sovereign authority and has refused to share power with the UIC, despite encouragement from the Arab League. | However, it remains recognised internationally as Somalia's sovereign authority and has refused to share power with the UIC, despite encouragement from the Arab League. |
| 'Ceasefire breached' | 'Ceasefire breached' |
| The local militia in Kismayo was led by interim Defence Minister Hirale Aden Shire. | The local militia in Kismayo was led by interim Defence Minister Hirale Aden Shire. |
| Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying any attack on Kismayo would breach a ceasefire deal between the administration and the Islamists agreed during recent talks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. | Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying any attack on Kismayo would breach a ceasefire deal between the administration and the Islamists agreed during recent talks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. |
| "We're requesting that the international community pressurise the UIC to stop attacking," he added. | "We're requesting that the international community pressurise the UIC to stop attacking," he added. |
| BBC World Service Africa editor David Bamford says the UIC insists it is a force for unity and stability in Somalia after years of division under the warlords. | BBC World Service Africa editor David Bamford says the UIC insists it is a force for unity and stability in Somalia after years of division under the warlords. |
| But he adds that in recent weeks, its case has been severely tested as Islamist militants within their ranks have closed down cinemas and prevented Somali women working for non-governmental organisations. | But he adds that in recent weeks, its case has been severely tested as Islamist militants within their ranks have closed down cinemas and prevented Somali women working for non-governmental organisations. |
| The killings of a Western journalist and an elderly Italian nun have also raised concern. | The killings of a Western journalist and an elderly Italian nun have also raised concern. |
| Your comments: | Your comments: |
| I live in Kismayo, there has been panic that there will be a war in the town, but fortunately there has not been a war, and all people are excited that the UIC are coming and bringing law and order after long time of rule by the different warlordsAbdi Dahir, Kismayo, Somalia | |
| The Union of Slamic Courts (UIC) are by the people of Somalia and for the people, they enjoy most of the Somali people's support, after years of warlordism, divisionism, and greedy thugs. UIC army and its leaders are working voluntarily day and night to return the dignity of all Somali people. They are indeed a uniting force since, we, Somalis, are tired of tribalism which is rooted in ignorance and intolerance towards your Somali brothers and sisters Hassan, Kismayo, Somalia | The Union of Slamic Courts (UIC) are by the people of Somalia and for the people, they enjoy most of the Somali people's support, after years of warlordism, divisionism, and greedy thugs. UIC army and its leaders are working voluntarily day and night to return the dignity of all Somali people. They are indeed a uniting force since, we, Somalis, are tired of tribalism which is rooted in ignorance and intolerance towards your Somali brothers and sisters Hassan, Kismayo, Somalia |
| Are you in Kismayo or are you one those who left the port recently? Do you know anyone in the area who is affected? Send us your accounts using the form below. | Are you in Kismayo or are you one those who left the port recently? Do you know anyone in the area who is affected? Send us your accounts using the form below. |
| You can send pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |