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Kenya says AU forces storm Somali rebel city of Kismayo Kenya says AU forces storm Somali rebel city of Kismayo
(35 minutes later)
African Union (AU) forces have launched a beach assault and taken control of parts of Kismayo, the last major Islamist militant bastion in southern Somalia, Kenya's military says.African Union (AU) forces have launched a beach assault and taken control of parts of Kismayo, the last major Islamist militant bastion in southern Somalia, Kenya's military says.
The port city has been a stronghold of the al-Qaeda-aligned group al-Shabab.The port city has been a stronghold of the al-Qaeda-aligned group al-Shabab.
Al-Shabab spokesmen told news agencies that fierce fighting was now under way.Al-Shabab spokesmen told news agencies that fierce fighting was now under way.
The Kenyan troops are part of the AU's Amisom force, which is trying to wrest control of the country for the newly elected UN-backed president.The Kenyan troops are part of the AU's Amisom force, which is trying to wrest control of the country for the newly elected UN-backed president.
Kenyan military spokesman Cyrus Oguna confirmed to the BBC that parts of Kismayo had been captured and the rest was expected to fall soon.Kenyan military spokesman Cyrus Oguna confirmed to the BBC that parts of Kismayo had been captured and the rest was expected to fall soon.
Mr Oguna said the joint operation of Kenyan Defence Forces and Somali government troops had begun at 02:00 local time (23:00 GMT Thursday) and was "basically amphibious".Mr Oguna said the joint operation of Kenyan Defence Forces and Somali government troops had begun at 02:00 local time (23:00 GMT Thursday) and was "basically amphibious".
Mr Oguna said: "We cannot give casualty figures at the moment, the damage has not been assessed, but I can tell you our forces are already in Kismayo."Mr Oguna said: "We cannot give casualty figures at the moment, the damage has not been assessed, but I can tell you our forces are already in Kismayo."
Kismayo was vital to al-Shabab. It was through the port that the militants, who have sworn their allegiance to al-Qaeda, imported their arms and ammunition.
At least as important were the taxes that al-Shabab were able to levy on the city's traders.
Once Kismayo is fully in African Union hands it will be a major blow to al-Shabab. But the militants still hold large areas of southern and central Somalia.
They are not yet a spent force and are likely to re-group their forces and strike back with suicide bombings and guerrilla attacks.
He told the BBC: "There are some parts that still will be under the control of al-Shabab because we only got there a couple of hours ago, and Kismayo is a big city."He told the BBC: "There are some parts that still will be under the control of al-Shabab because we only got there a couple of hours ago, and Kismayo is a big city."
One source in Kismayo told the BBC that AU forces had blocked the main road to Kismayo about 13km (8 miles) north of the city as the beach operation took place.
'Lightning and thunder''Lightning and thunder'
Al-Shabab spokesmen said fierce clashes were taking place.Al-Shabab spokesmen said fierce clashes were taking place.
Al-Shabab commander in Kismayo, Sheik Mohamed Abu-Fatuma, told Agence France-Presse news agency: "The enemy using military boats have deployed hundreds of soldiers in the coast late last night and the mujahedeen fighters are engaging heavy fighting now with them. God willing they will be defeated."Al-Shabab commander in Kismayo, Sheik Mohamed Abu-Fatuma, told Agence France-Presse news agency: "The enemy using military boats have deployed hundreds of soldiers in the coast late last night and the mujahedeen fighters are engaging heavy fighting now with them. God willing they will be defeated."
Residents of Kismayo told Reuters news agency they could hear fighting outside the city.Residents of Kismayo told Reuters news agency they could hear fighting outside the city.
One resident, Ismail Suglow, told the agency: "Now we hear shelling from the ships and the [militants] are responding with anti-aircraft guns.One resident, Ismail Suglow, told the agency: "Now we hear shelling from the ships and the [militants] are responding with anti-aircraft guns.
"We saw seven ships early in the morning and now their firing looks like lightning and thunder. Al-Shabab have gone towards the beach. Many residents have taken their guns. The ships poured many AU troops on the beach," he said."We saw seven ships early in the morning and now their firing looks like lightning and thunder. Al-Shabab have gone towards the beach. Many residents have taken their guns. The ships poured many AU troops on the beach," he said.
There are also reports that helicopters are attacking the town.There are also reports that helicopters are attacking the town.
Earlier this week, Kenyan military jets had bombed the airport in Kismayo, destroying an armoury and warehouse used by Islamist militants.Earlier this week, Kenyan military jets had bombed the airport in Kismayo, destroying an armoury and warehouse used by Islamist militants.
Some 10,000 people had fled Kismayo in the past week, the United Nations refugee agency estimated, as Amisom, government troops and pro-government militia advanced on the city. Some 10,000 people have fled Kismayo in the past week, the United Nations refugee agency has estimated.
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, in Nairobi, says that last week al-Shabab appeared to be making preparations for an exit, moving out fighters and equipment. BBC World Service News Africa editor, Martin Plaut, says al-Shabab has tried to halt the exodus and has urged civilians to join their fight.
He says Kismayo is a significant source of revenue for whoever controls it and its loss would be a serious blow to the Islamists. He says the advance by Kenyan forces, Somali government troops and the pro-government Ras Kambone militia has been delayed as all roads into the city had to be swept inch by inch for mines. This, our correspondent says, explains the attack from the sea.
Kenya began its intervention in Somalia nearly a year ago after a spate of cross-border attacks blamed on al-Shabab.Kenya began its intervention in Somalia nearly a year ago after a spate of cross-border attacks blamed on al-Shabab.
Al-Shabab has been forced out of the capital, Mogadishu, and several other towns over the past year but still controls much of the countryside in south and central Somalia.Al-Shabab has been forced out of the capital, Mogadishu, and several other towns over the past year but still controls much of the countryside in south and central Somalia.
Since the overthrow of President Siad Barre in 1991, Somalia has seen clan-based warlords, Islamist militants and its neighbours all battling for control.Since the overthrow of President Siad Barre in 1991, Somalia has seen clan-based warlords, Islamist militants and its neighbours all battling for control.