Fall of Kismayo

The Fall of Kismayo occurred on January 1, 2007, when the troops of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Ethiopian forces entered the Somali city of Kismayo unopposed. It came after the Islamic Courts Union disbanded on 27th December, 2006.

Fall of Kismayo
Part of the War in Somalia (2006–2009)
DateJanuary 1, 2007
Location
Kismayo, Somalia
Result Government forces take control of Kismayo
Belligerents
Transitional Federal Government (TFG)
Ethiopia
Commanders and leaders
TFG: Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

Course of events

In December 2006, after the Fall of Mogadishu, much of the Islamists began a retreat towards Kismayo. According to the New York Times, when the Battle of Jilib began on December 31, 2006, clan elders within Kismayo demanded the Islamists leave the city. Mohammed Arab, a clan leader said "We told them that they were going to lose, and that our city would get destroyed."[1] After the Islamists refused, gun battles broke out between the local clan militias and the Islamists. Thousands of local residence fled the city with the Islamists due to the violence.

The Battle of Jilib saw the Islamists fleeing during the night from heavy artillery fire and they once again retreated, this time towards the Kenyan border. TFG and Ethiopian forces entered the town on January 1, 2007. [2]

Aftermath

In August 2008, Al Shabaab retook the city during the Battle of Kismayo (2008).

In September 2012, the Somali National Army assisted by AMISOM troops and Raskamboni militia re-captured Kismayo from the insurgents in the Battle of Kismayo (2012).[3][4]

References
  1. Gentleman, Jeffrey (2006-12-31). "Islamists, Cornered in Somalia, Lose Local Support". The New York Times. Retrieved 2002-01-02.
  2. Rice, Xan (2006-01-02). "Somalia's Islamist fighters flee last urban base as pro-government alliance closes in". Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2002-01-02.
  3. "Kenyan forces attack last remaining stronghold of al-Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia". Associated Press. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  4. Chonghaile, Clar Ni (28 September 2012). "Kenyan troops launch beach assault on Somali city of Kismayo". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 September 2012.

Further reading
  • Stig Jarle Hansen, Al-Shabaab in Somalia: The History and Ideology of a Militant Islamic Group 2005-12, Hurst & Co., 2013, 39-40.

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