Published by The Daily Beast on September 29, 2012

Somalia’s al Qaeda–linked militants Al-Shabab abandoned their financial stronghold, the port city of Kismayo, under assault today by African Union and Somali forces. Taking Kismayo has long been seen as delivering the knockout blow to the Islamist group, who relied on the port to supply guns and generate revenue. Without that key connection to the outside world, Al-Shabab loses millions in annual funds, undercutting its ability to continue controlling vast swaths of the country.

But the threat they pose is far from gone. Even as an Al-Shabab spokesman announced a “tactical retreat,” the group’s Twitter feed (@HSMPress) threatened further bloodshed: “#Kismayo shall be transformed from a peaceful city governed by Islamic Shari'ah into a battle-zone between Muslims & the Kuffar [infidel] invaders.”

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