Jets and warships reportedly began bombarding al Shabaab strongholds in the strategic Somali port city of Kismayo on Aug. 11. According to Kenyan military sources, the bombardment is intended to destroy all of the hard-line Islamist group's defensive positions ahead of a ground assault by forces from the African Union Mission in Somalia, Somalia's Transitional Federal Government and a number of local militias. The coalition reportedly has moved forces to within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of Kismayo and aims to capture the city by Aug. 20. Since the offensive against al Shabaab began in August 2011, the African Union and the Somali government have dislodged most al Shabaab militants from Mogadishu and have wrested control of key al Shabaab cities, including Afmadow, Baidoa and Afgoye. The African Union force has led these efforts, but many countries have participated. With a focus on containment, the strategy has relegated al Shabaab to the southern part of the country, where the militant group maintains control of five key cities: Merca, Bardera, Barawe, Jilib and the stronghold of Kismayo. Possessing one of Somalia's three deepwater ports, Kismayo is strategically important. Money generated from taxes and the profits from licit trade at the port are al Shabaab's primary sources of revenue. The city's large population also provides ample recruitment opportunities to al Shabaab, which reportedly forces every clan in the city to contribute 150 youths to their ranks. Moreover, the port is a useful smuggling hub. Al Shabaab brings into Somalia weapons and new recruits from other countries such as Tanzania. Likewise, the group uses the city to smuggle its members out of Somalia, often to other areas of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Seizing Kismayo would significantly weaken al Shabaab by depriving it of key resources, but this alone will not eliminate the group. As long as al Shabaab continues to have local support in the south, elements of the group will survive and will try to reassert the group's influence as conditions allow. Seizing Kismayo also will not affect support al Shabaab has elsewhere in the world, including in Tanzania, Kenya, Europe, the Middle East and North America.
