Islamic Forces Abandon Somali Stronghold

ABC News ^ | December 31, 2006 | By NASTEEX DAHIR FARAH

[bd476]

Islamic Forces Abandon Somali Stronghold

Islamic Fighters Abandon Somali Stronghold; Last Seen Heading South Toward the Kenyan Border

(AP Photo/Guy Calaf)

Crew of the Ethiopian air force prepare their helicopter to transport Somali transitional government President Abdullahi Yusuf, to a meeting with other high ranking government officials, journalists and the local community in a suburb of southern Mogadishu, Somalia on Saturday Dec. 30 2006. Only a few days after the fall of the United Islamic Courts in Mogadishu, Ethiopian and Transitional Federal Government troops are patrolling the city and securing strategic locations.
(AP Photo/Guy Calaf)

By NASTEEX DAHIR FARAH

KISMAYO, Somalia Dec 31, 2006 (AP)— Islamic fighters abandoned the last major town they held early Monday and were seen heading south toward the Kenyan border while government forces approached slowly because of land mines, residents and the government spokesman said.

The Islamic forces began to disintegrate after a night of artillery attacks at the front line and following a mutiny within its ranks, witnesses said. Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said he had information that Islamic forces were moving south toward the Kenyan border.

[Kenny Bunk]

Kenyans should move a border patrol up to intercept them, otherwise they're going to have some nasty bandit problems in the near future.

No problem, Somali "refugees" find a warm welcome in Maine.

[wontbackdown]

Apparently Ethiopia will be the next super power.