SOMALIAN Islamist militants have retreated from their stronghold of Kismayo, following an attack by African Union and Somali Government troops.
Kenyan and Somali forces launched an assault on al-Shabaab's last major bastion on Friday in what was seen as a major blow to the al-Qaeda-linked rebels.
However, al-Shabaab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage called it a "tactical retreat" and insisted "the enemies have not entered the town".
Kenyan military spokesman Col Cyrus Oguna said AU forces had control of northern parts of the city.
■somalia
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