Tactical Retreat - Al Shebaab Abandons Last Stronghold In Somalia - Abc News Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Updated September 30, 2012 05:24:53

Islamist mma fighters Al Shabaab have verified many people are generally withdrawing from Somalia's lower port area connected with Kismayo following an African Union military attack.

The group, that is definitely connected to Al Qaeda, include described their particular withdrawal as a " tactical retreat ".

Kenyan allows united with African Union as well as Somali soldiers to release a flourishing night time attack for the key city.

The invasion saw that forces claim that port, however is not your city, a point manufactured by Al Shabaab within a number of tweets.

The citizens of Kismayo were shared with to remain calm, although there is anxiety of which preventing may possibly soon spread.

If Kenyan and also Somali forces manage to secure that city, it will indicate the end involving Al Shabaab in it's current form being a Islamist militant maintenance containing for one half a ten years stored sway above significant aspects of urban Somalia.

Kismayo is a vital lifeline intended for Al Shabaab since African Union energies reconquered nearly all regarding Mogadishu last year along with Ethiopian troops removed these of other key places inside the east.

"The military command associated with Shabaab mujahedeen purchased a tactical retreat during midnight," said Al Shabaab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage.

Residents inside metropolis confirmed which the Islamist martial artists did actually have went in the garden city wrinkles along with that his or her radio station, Radio Andalus, seemed to be there are various air.

"We have no idea of where they gone to. but early that morning this last navy automobile left this town," reported Hassan Ali, a new Kismayo resident.

Al Shabaab fighters for the yard also established this withdrawal.

"We got assignments through each of our superiors to be able to withdraw through the city," claimed Al Shabaab commander Sheikh Mohamed Abu-Fatma.

"This is section of much wider military method we certainly have arranged for that enemy."

Observers have consistently stated how the lack of Kismayo would give Al Shabaab, who once controlled 80 per brass razoo from the country, struggling to preserve large swathes involving territory.

But throughout sites where Al Shabaab have abandoned fixed positions, most more importantly from the cash Mogadishu, they've went to guerrilla maneuvers as well as always been a threat.

ABC/wires

Topics: , somalia

First posted September 29, 2012 22:55:58