African troops take control of parts of rebel stronghold, Kenyan army says

Описание: (2 Oct 2012) SHOTLIST
1. On board helicopter, Kenya Army pilots flying to Kismayo (part of AMISOM = African Union Mission in Somalia)
2. Close up of Kenya Army helicopter pilot reading map
3. Close up of navigation instrument on board Kenya Army helicopter
4. Wide through plane window of Kismayo coast line
5. Wide of Kenya Navy ship off coast of Kismayo (part of AMISOM = African Union Mission in Somalia)
6. Various of Kenya Army soldiers on board a armoured personnel carrier at Kismayo airport
7. Wide of Kenya military spokesman, Colonel Cyrus Oguna, speaking to media at Kismayo airport
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colonel Cyrus Oguna, Kenya's military spokesman:
"I think, being fully in charge of Kismayo we cannot put a time frame to it because, a couple of days ago we were not where we are today. Then we got where we are, then we expanded beyond where we are. We are now at the sea port, we are now at the police station, we are now at the radio station, we are now at the new airport. Those are progress that have been made, so we cannot really talk about when the whole town will be under the control of AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) forces. Our success is measured by the areas that we are in control of, and we are in control of a lot of areas by now and that is good progress."
9. Wide of Kenya Army soldiers driving at Kismayo airport on board a armoured personnel carrier (part of AMISOM = African Union Mission in Somalia)
10. Various of Kenya Army soldier taking guard with gun
11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colonel Cyrus Oguna, Kenya's military spokesman:
"That possibility is there and that's why our movement is cautious, our movement is measured, we are not going to rush into the town, we are going to expand into other areas that we have not been able to control, cautiously, because that possibility of leaving some elements behind to carry out suicide bombings and sniping is very, very real, and we are much aware about it and we have measures to ensure that it doesn't happen, or if it does happen, the casualties are not so much."
12. Various of Kenya Army soldiers at the Kismayo university compound
13. Various of Kenya Army soldiers (part of AMISOM = African Union Mission in Somalia) celebrating outside Kismayo university compound
STORYLINE
Allied African troops were on Tuesday taking significant ground in Kismayo, Somalia, the last major stronghold of Islamist rebels who have been fighting the country's internationally backed government.
Kenya Defence Forces and Somali National Army personnel, members of AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia), were now patrolling the streets of Kismayo, said Kenyan military spokeman Colonel Cyrus Oguna, in an interview at the Kismayo airport.
He said that the troops had secured Kismayo's central police station and the new airport.
"I think, being fully in charge of Kismayo we cannot put a time frame to it because, a couple of days ago we were not where we are today.... We are now at the sea port, we are now at the police station, we are now at the radio station, we are now at the new airport. Those are progress that have been made, so we cannot really talk about when the whole town will be under the control of AMISOM forces. Our success is measured by the areas that we are in control of, and we are in control of a lot of areas by now and that is good progress," said Colonel Oguna.
Kenyan troops invaded the southern Somali city of Kismayo early on Friday, and the militant Islamist group al-Shabab, which is allied to al-Qaida, announced soon after that their forces were leaving the lucrative port town.


Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...