Al-Shabaab Islamists abandon their last stronghold of Kismayu

Al-Shabaab Islamists have abandoned the port city of Kismayu as residents confirmed their withdrawal from what has been their last stronghold.

For the past three years the Al-Qaeda-allied militant group has controlled the main commercial centre in Jubaland, a vast region next to Kenya and 500 kilometres south of the capital Mogadishu.

"The military command of Shabab mujahideen ordered a tactical retreat at midnight," Al-Shabab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage told news agency AFP.

The group through its Twitter handle HSM Press Office said that it had shut office.

"Last night, after more than 5 years the Islamic administration in Kismayo closed its offices," the group said.

A resident who sought anonymity said the militants had withdrawn from key institutions.

"The police station, the office of the District Commissioner and the office of the Wali (Islamist governor), are all devoid of militants and hardliner officials," he said, adding that the DC's office has been looted by individuals.

AU troops early Friday surrounded Kismayu, the terror group's main logistical and financial hub, including through a surprise amphibian operation by Kenya's navy which appeared to have caught the militants off-guard as they were expecting a land invasion.

Allied troops say the withdrawal may be a trap hence have been cautious.

The militants had denied the fall of the city but all sources say the group's fighters have streamed out of the city, which was seen as the main prize in the battle against Al-Shabaab.

"Al-Andalus (the broadcaster run by Al-Shabaab) is off air,” said another resident. He believed that the departing militants took the main radio equipment with them.

The station had spent Friday urging residents to resist the "invaders".

Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, the leader of Ras Kamboni Brigade, a key AU ally, told the local media that Al-Shabaab fighters may have disappeared into the bushes known as Dasheeg-Waamo.

"I urge the people in Kismayu to keep calm," said Sheikh Madobe.

(Published by Courtney Morgan)