Somali troops capture last Islamic stronghold

SOMALI Government troops backed by Ethiopian soldiers have entered Kismayo, the last major stronghold of a militant Islamic movement, residents said yesterday.

Well-armed troops drove into the southern coastal city after clearing roads laced with land mines that had been left by Islamic fighters fleeing a 13-day military onslaught by government troops backed by Ethiopian tanks and MiG fighter jets.

“We have entered and captured the city,” Maj Gen Ahmed Musa said while on his way into Kismayo, where an estimated 3,000 hard-line Islamic fighters had vowed to make a last stand but melted away under fire.