AU forces launch assault on Somali militants’ stronghold![]() September 28, 2012 - 14:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - African Union (AU) forces have launched a beach assault and taken control of parts of Kismayo, the last major stronghold in Somalia held by Islamist militants, Kenya's military says. The port city has been a bastion of the al-Qaeda-aligned group al-Shabab. The Kenyan troops are part of the AU's Amisom force, which is trying to wrest control of the country for the newly elected UN-backed president. Kenyan military spokesman Col Cyrus Oguna confirmed that parts of Kismayo had been captured and the rest was expected to fall soon. Al-Shabab spokesmen said fierce clashes were taking place, BBC News reported. Partner news The agent shot in self-defense in the incident, which occurred at Todashev's house, the law enforcement source said. Only three senators on the committee - Republican Ron Paul and Democrats Tom Udall and Chris Murphy - opposed the bill. If true, the exclusion of Rafsanjani and Mashaie would leave the presidential race dominated by hardline conservatives. Amy Elliott, chief administrative officer of the Oklahoma medical examiner's office, said 51 were confirmed dead. Partner news |