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Somali militia abandon stronghold Somali Islamic stronghold falls
(about 2 hours later)
Somali Islamist militiamen have fled the southern port city of Kismayo - their last major stronghold. Somalia's Ethiopian-backed government says it controls the southern port city of Kismayo - which was the last stronghold of Islamist militiamen.
The prime minister said the city was controlled by the Ethiopian-backed interim government - which has been seizing areas held by the Islamists. The Islamists retreated as the army, supported by Ethiopian aircraft, tanks and artillery advanced on the city.
He also offered an amnesty for fighters handing over their weapons. The prime minister urged the African Union to send peacekeepers and offered an amnesty for fighters who disarmed.
The retreat from Kismayo is seen as a major reversal for the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), a militia that swept through much of Somalia last year. The Islamists had swept through Somalia last year, and their retreat from Kismayo is seen as a major reversal.
The Islamists had withdrawn to the southern city on Thursday, after abandoning the capital Mogadishu as a result of heavy fighting involving Ethiopian artillery, tanks and aircraft. Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi told AFP news agency: "Kismayo is already in the hands of the government. The Islamists have run away."
Early on Monday, Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi told AFP news agency: "Kismayo is already in the hands of the government. The Islamists have run away." href="/1/hi/world/africa/4760775.stm" class="">Q&A: Somali conflict
href="/1/hi/world/africa/4760775.stm" class="">Q&A: Somali conflict href="/1/hi/world/africa/6214263.stm" class="">Eyewitness: Fear and anger href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6213639.stm" class="">Conflict in pictures The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) had withdrawn to Kismayo on Thursday, after abandoning the capital Mogadishu.
The prime minister said they were still "mopping up operations". Announcing the amnesty, Mr Ghedi said Islamist fighters had been "misled by international terrorists".
Announcing the amnesty, he said Islamist fighters had been "misled by international terrorists".
However he stressed that there would be no amnesty for leaders of the UIC.However he stressed that there would be no amnesty for leaders of the UIC.
Some 3,000 Islamist fighters were believed to be in Kismayo, about 300km (185 miles) south-east of the capital, Mogadishu. The prime minister also called on the African Union (AU) to help stabilise the country.
Their retreat follows fierce fighting with Ethiopian troops around Jilib, 100km north of Kismayo. "We would like the military observers and peacekeepers to come in to help us as soon as possible," he told reporters.
Reports say Ethiopian forces are advancing cautiously, fearing mines and booby traps. Regional summit
The militias are reportedly retreating south towards the border with Kenya, where security has been reinforced on the Kenyan side in an effort to prevent them from crossing over. Reports say Ethiopian forces are advancing cautiously into Kismayo, fearing mines and booby traps.
On Sunday Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki announced he was calling a summit of East African countries to discuss the situation. Ethiopian aircraft and artillery are backing Somalia's governmentThe militias are reportedly retreating south towards the border with Kenya, where security has been reinforced on the Kenyan side in an effort to prevent them from crossing over.
Food shortages Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has called for a summit of East African countries to discuss the situation.
An Islamic commander, Sheikh Yaqub Ishak, confirmed his forces had left Kismayo, but said they would not "stop fighting the Ethiopian invader".An Islamic commander, Sheikh Yaqub Ishak, confirmed his forces had left Kismayo, but said they would not "stop fighting the Ethiopian invader".
Ethiopian aircraft and artillery are backing Somalia's government
The Islamists have rejected offers of talks with the government, saying Ethiopia must withdraw its forces first.The Islamists have rejected offers of talks with the government, saying Ethiopia must withdraw its forces first.
Ethiopian troops officially entered Somalia on 24 December, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.Ethiopian troops officially entered Somalia on 24 December, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.
Ethiopia accuses the UIC of harbouring al-Qaeda militants. This is denied by the militia, which was set up to restore order in Mogadishu. Ethiopia accuses the UIC of harbouring al-Qaeda militants. This is denied by the militia.
The UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending its influence to much of central and southern Somalia.The UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending its influence to much of central and southern Somalia.
Some analysts say the UIC's popularity stemmed from its ability to transcend the clan enmities that have bedevilled Somalia since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.Some analysts say the UIC's popularity stemmed from its ability to transcend the clan enmities that have bedevilled Somalia since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.