UN-backed Africa Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM)has captured Somali strategic port city of Kismayo in Somalia.
Reports say Kenya Defence Forces and Somalia National Army (SNA) has taken the only remaining bastion of rebel Al-Shabaab. last Friday.
Kismayo is reportedly the third largest city of Somalia which is considered the hub of the militant group, Al-Shabaab.
UN Photo/Stuart Price
In Washington DC today, Department Spokesperson says the United States welcomes the capture of the strategic port city of Kismayo by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers and Somali forces.
“Al-Shabaab’s departure from Kismayo demonstrates continued momentum by pro-government forces against this terrorist organization.” -Ms. Nuland
She stresses it is clear that al-Shabaab’s extremist views and violent tactics have no future in a modern Somalia that is seeking to rebuild after more than two decades of conflict.
The United States calls on all forces present in and around Kismayo to ensure full respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, Ms. Nuland said.
“We urge rapid establishment of an inclusive political framework to ensure the city is governed in the interest of all its citizens and of other Somalis who depend on its port.” -Ms. Nuland
In August 2011, the Islamic insurgent group Al-Shabaab has left the capital, Mogadishu.
Fighting between Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Al-Shabaab militants had already uprooted tens of thousands of people in Mogadishu before the current humanitarian crisis began. Ongoing insecurity and drought, as well as famine in parts of southern Somalia, have caused a massive influx of starving adults and children into the city in the past two months.
Al-Shabaab militants are infamous for deliberately
blocking the delivery of food assistance in an area of south central Somalia which is under direct or indirect control of al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab militant group has been compared with the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan because of its opinions and beliefs.
