Residents of Kismayo confirmed the attacks to Somalia Report saying that two low flying airplanes fired two missiles to an al-Shabaab base at a time the militias were present with their fighting vehicles.
“There were heavy explosion heard all over the town when al-Shabaab fighters were present in the airport. The leaders of al-Shabaab haven't been to the base in two months since heavy shelling took place there,” a resident of Kismayo who requested anonymity told Somalia Report.
“After that incident al-Shabaab blocked all the transport in and outside the city patrolling the streets and refused to let people to visit Kismayo hospital since their causalities are being treated there,” he added.
Mohamed Hassan Buule, a TFG military officer in Lower Juba, confirmed to Somalia Report that the shelling is part of the plan to destroy the al-Shabaab bases in the regions adding that an important base was targeted last night.
“We have already said that this is a part of a plan to eradicate the extremist from the country. Last night one of their main bases was destroyed and the airstrikes will continue until all the terrorists who occupied our land are destroyed and chased from the country,” he said.
“Last night in Kismayo we destroyed their fighting vehicles and 40 of their fighters were killed. Their strength was weakened which makes easy for them to be eradicated from the country. They had one of their largest bases in Kismayo, but it looks as if they are running from it fearing of death while we move slowly to where they vacated so that we can rescue our people,” Buule added.
The spokesman of the TFG forces in Lower Juba told the media today that some of the airplanes who fulfilled the airstrike were from IGAD countries and TFG were aware some of recent movement from al-Shabaab n southern Somalia.
No immediate comments available from al-Shabaab officials in Lower Jubba region.
On Saturday aircraft were also seen over Hawina and Tabta near the town of Dhobley in a show of force prior to anticipated attacks on al Shabaab by the Raskamboni militia.
(Editor's note: Residents reported drones while the TFG official said it was airplanes. Somalia Report is working to clarify the type of aircraft.)