AMISOM forces take control of Kismayo

Kenyan troops in the UN-backed Africa peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and allied forces on Tuesday patrolled the streets of the Kismayo city after the troops take control of the last stronghold of Al-Shabaab militant group. Military spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said in Nairobi the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and Somalia National Army (SNA) also took control of new airport and central police station. "Kismayo is finally under control of the KDF AMISOM and Somali National Army. New airport and Central Police Station are now under control of KDF AMISOM and SNA," Chirchir said in his official Twitter account. He said the two strategic facilities fell under the soldiers control as they also detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which were planted by the militants in the airport. Chirchir said once the new airport is safe, the UN-backed force is expeced to land its military plane at the facility which has been captured from the insurgents. KDF and Somalia National Army (SNA) captured the city of Kismayo early on Friday, the only remaining bastion of Al-Shabaab. Kismayo is the third largest city of Somalia which is considered the hub of the militant group, Al-Shabaab, which formally merged with the dreaded global terror network, the al Qaida, after several years of pledging loyalty and ideological similarities. Kismayo used to supply the insurgents with steady income in the form of taxes and is an extremely strategic city for Al-Shabaab fighters who had reportedly reinforced their numbers in the port city which is home to top leadership of the ragtag. The insurgents on Saturday confirmed they have abandoned their offices in the city located in southern Somalia but vowed to continue with their battle against the AMISOM forces. The insurgents said the withdrawal was a tactical retreat but vowed to keep on fighting until they defeat the Kenyan troops and allied forces. Al-Shabaab announcement came after an assault on the city by AMISOM troops who had been trying to liberate the civilians in the key city. KDF have called on the remaining militants to lay down their arms and join hands with their brothers in the pacification of their country.