Al-Shabaab militants have fled the key town of Afmadow fearing attacks from the Kenya Defence Forces, military sources said on Sunday.

The sources said the militants had deserted the town which was previously one of its main strongholds after suffering serious losses at the hands of the Kenyan forces.

“We have heard from residents of Afmadow that the Al-Shabaab have vanished from Afmadow in the last few days.

“What we suspect is that they may have fled due to the heavy losses we have inflicted on them recently,” said a military source who declined to be named because he is not the spokesman of the Kenya Defence Forces.

The spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir would not confirm the reports saying he would await a briefing from the commanders of the Operation Linda Nchi before commenting.

The militants have been known to make tactical retreats from their strongholds only to ambush the enemy and cause casualties. (READ: Al-Shabaab change of tack may prolong the war in Somalia)

In August, the Al-Shabaab appeared to hand Amisom troops and TFG fighters easy victory when they left Mogadishu, only to launch lightening attacks from the outskirts, killing tens of soldiers.

Afmadow is considered the gateway to the port town of Kismayu—the ultimate target of the military operation in the war-torn country.

Reports on Sunday indicated that the Kenyan troops were advancing towards Kismayu in a final push to defeat the militants.

Air strikes in Gabragaso, Janabdala and Okosigo in central Somalia helped Kenyan troops in carrying out their plan to liberate Kismayu from the terror group, a spokesman for the troops said.

Military’s operations officer, Col. Cyrus Oguna, said the air strikes on strategic locations were aimed at expanding areas under its control.

However, Kenyan Foreign Affairs Spokesman Lindsay Kiptiness said there were fears the military gains may not be sustained unless they are backed by a political progress in Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government.

“A new round of political conflict would affect the transitional process eight months away,” Mr Kiptiness said.

Source: Nation.co.ke

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