Al-Shabab denies that any of Kismayo has fallen

The al-Qaeda-aligned militant group al-Shabab has denied reports that parts of the port city of Kismayo have fallen to African Union troops.

On its Twitter feed and in an interview with the BBC, spokesmen for the group said the city remained "firmly in the hands of the Mujahideen".

Advertisement

Al-Shabab leave Kismayu

Somalia's al Shabaab rebels have withdrew from the southern Somali city of Kismayu overnight following an assault from the African Union and Kenyan forces. The al Qaeda inspired group vowed to return.