Kenyan forces advance on key Somali town

18 Oct 2011, 6:57 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Al Shabaab has denied responsibility for the recent kidnappings and has accused the Kenyan government of conspiring for an excuse to launch an invasion. (AP)

Al Shabaab has denied responsibility for the recent kidnappings and has accused the Kenyan government of conspiring for an excuse to launch an invasion. (AP)

Kenyan troops are advancing towards a strategic Somali town held by Islamic al Shabaab militants.

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Kenyan troops advanced towards a strategic rebel-held Somali town on Tuesday as heavy air strikes battered al Shabaab militant positions, army officials said.

"Our forces will be concentrating on operations in Afmadow region today, they started moving there late on Monday," army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said.

Kenyan troops have pushed at least 120km into Somalia since Nairobi declared war on the al Shabaab militia and confirmed it had sent its army across the border on Sunday.

Guided by pro-government Somali forces, backed by heavy aerial bombardments but bogged down on mud tracks in heavy rain, Kenyan troops have been hitting back against recent kidnappings inside Kenya blamed on the Islamists.

"So far everything is going on well," Chirchir said.

The assault has prompted dire warnings of revenge from al Shabaab, who deny being behind recent kidnappings of foreigners from beach resorts and an overcrowded refugee camp.

The last time Somalia was invaded by one of its neighbours was in late 2006 when Ethiopia started an occupation that lasted two years and spurred the formation of the al Shabaab insurgency, inspired by al-Qaeda.

"Kenya has peace, its cities have tall buildings and business is booming there, while Somalia is in chaos," al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage said on Monday.

"If your government ignores our calls to stop its aggression on Somali soil, we will strike at the heart of your interests," he said, addressing the Kenyan population.

But Kenya said it was not frightened by al-Shabab's grim warning.

"We will not give up at all, we will not be cowed or intimidated by the Shabaab ," Chirchir said.

It was unclear how long Kenyan troops planned to stay in Somalia but Nairobi had been under growing pressure to take action and attempt to restore confidence that it could safely host tourists and one of the world's largest aid communities.

Meanwhile in Kenya, police said they had stepped up security and beefed up their intelligence mechanisms, particularly in Nairobi, after al Shabaab 's threats of reprisals.

"I appeal to Nairobians and Kenyans in general to be extra alert and in case anybody sights any suspicious and strange person or any suspicious object to report to any police officer near him," Nairobi Provincial Police commander Antony Kibuchi said.

"We have stepped up security across the city," he said.

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