Photo|FILE Kenya Defence Forces spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir
African Union troops in Somalia have killed 42 Al-Shabaab militias and injured scores of others.
Kenya Defence Forces spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir
said several others escaped with injuries after they attacked Algibah
near the port city of Kismayu.
Major Chirchir said four Al-Shabaab technical
vehicles, one water bowser, one lorry and supplies were also destroyed
in the process.
Clan resists
He said Al-Shabaab had called on women in Kismayu
to provide their fighters with food and water as they battle Amisom
troops but some women refused.
“As Amisom troops surround Kismayu, Marehan clans
vowed to resist and fight alongside Al-Shabaab but the rest of the clans
have welcomed the troops to free the area of the militia,” Mjr Chirchir
said.
On Tuesday, Amisom edged closer to seizing Kismayu
after the capture of Marka, the third largest port in southern Somalia.
(READ: AU troops capture Shabaab stronghold)
The forces pushed the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Shabaab out of the town, which has been one of militants’ key havens since 2008