Somali troops retake al-Shabab stronghold

[NewsCaster]

Stuart Price / APThe Somali National Army and the government-allied Ras Kamboni Brigade militia wave the Somali national flag from the former control tower of the airport in Kismayo, southern Somalia, Oct. 2, 2012.By NBC News and wire servicesLoud explosions shook the Somali port city of Kismayo Tuesday as Somali government troops and African Union forces took control of the last major stronghold of the al-Qaida-linked militia group al-Shabab, the BBC reported.

Follow @NBCNewsWorld According to the report, the army claimed it had captured all strategic points of the city.

"We have full control of the city. The residents of the city have welcomed us warmly," commander of the Somali government army in the Juba region, Ismael Sahardid, told the BBC.




NBCNews