Kenyan forces vow to retake port city

Somali-backed Kenyan forces said they plan to advance into islamist militant group al-Shabab’s territory and take back the rebel-captured port town of Kismayo.

Hundreds of Kenyan forces were deployed into neighbouring southern Somalia in October to halt the rebellion, which they believe is responsible for the frequent cross-border assaults and kidnappings in Kenya. Government forces have retaliated with erratic air raids on suspected rebel hotspots.

"Our conduct of operation here is basically in conformity with the other troops that are in other sectors, the northern sector and the central sector. So basically the ultimate objective is the capture of Kismayo, so it is building up to that,” said Major Rashid Seif of the Kenyan defense force.

The al-Qaeda affiliated al-Shabab has responded with landmines and makeshift explosives.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan troops have attempted to gain the confidence of southern residents by distributing food parcels and free medical services to the region, that has suffered severe drought and famine this year.

Al-Shabab has been trying to gain power over Somalia and enforce a stricter version of Sharia law, and has been threatening to attack its neighbor and the region’s economy.

Since the ousting of dictator Siad Barre in 1991, Somalia has been plagued with violence as warlords, followed by militants, attempt to fill the political void.

Speaker:

Major Rashid Seif - Kenyan defense force