Fighters seized control of the capital Mogadishu in
June
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The last port in southern Somalia outside the control of the
Islamic Courts (UIC) movement has reportedly fallen to the
militants.
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, head of the
courts' executive council, told the BBC Somali service that he had
men both inside and around Kismayo.
Residents say government militia withdrew
in 40 lorries without a shot being fired as fighters approached.
Thousands of people are reported to have
fled the city in recent days.
Witnesses told AFP news agency they had
seen more than 600 Muslim gunmen on about 50
"battlewagons" - machine-gun mounted pick-ups also known
as "technicals" - heading toward Kismayo on Sunday
The UIC had said it would occupy Kismayo
to stop a foreign peacekeeping force using it as a bridgehead.
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I spoke my father in Kismayo, he told me UIC came
this morning and everybody happy 
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Earlier this month, the African Union
supported a request by Somalia's transitional government, which
controls only a small part of the country, to send in a regional
peacekeeping force.
The UIC has steadily increased its hold
on Somalia since its fighters took control of the capital,
Mogadishu, in June, taking control of hundreds of square
kilometres of territory while hardly firing a shot.
The country's transitional government is
confined to a single town, Baidoa, and its president was the
victim of a recent assassination attempt.
However, it remains recognised
internationally as Somalia's sovereign authority and has refused
to share power with the UIC, despite encouragement from the Arab
League.
'Ceasefire breached'
The local militia in Kismayo was led by
interim Defence Minister Hirale Aden Shire.
Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari
was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying any attack on Kismayo
would breach a ceasefire deal between the administration and the
Islamists agreed during recent talks in the Sudanese capital,
Khartoum.
"We're requesting that the
international community pressurise the UIC to stop
attacking," he added.
BBC World Service Africa editor David
Bamford says the UIC insists it is a force for unity and stability
in Somalia after years of division under the warlords.
But he adds that in recent weeks, its
case has been severely tested as Islamist militants within their
ranks have closed down cinemas and prevented Somali women working
for non-governmental organisations.
The killings of a Western journalist and
an elderly Italian nun have also raised concern.
Your comments:
I spoke my father in Kismayo, he told me
UIC came this morning and everybody happy. Since 1991 we have been
living fearful and panic because of warlords and tribalism. Now
anxiety has gone and everybody enjoying. He said we are expecting
law and order, and unity and prosperity like Mogadisho.
abdullahi, uk
I have been talking to friends and they
told me not many people left Kismayo for fear. In fact many people
are welcoming them so that law and order can restored.
abdirashid, Rosemount, USA
My name is Mohamed and I live in Kismayo,
Somalia. I am very happy that the UIC are coming because they will
bring us freedom and security which Allah gives us in great
amounts. Everyone is celebrating in Kismayo now about the great
news. We are tired of them warlords who were controlling Somalia
in falsehood but now here is the UIC bringing freedom.
mohamed, kismayo
My cousin and his family lived in Kismayo
for many years. He called me by phone yesterday because everyone
was leaving the city in fear of the UIC warlords. The UIC control
Mogadishu by force and by terror not by freedom. He said people
just want freedom not extremism and fearful life and wish for
international help. Most of my friends in Kismayo have already
left for Kenya or Baidoa. I was advising my cousin to come to
Puntland as soon as possible but it was too late for them. He
could not make decision faster, he is paying for it.
Mahdi, Puntland, Somalia
I live in Kismayo, there has been panic
that there will be a war in the town, but fortunately there has
not been a war, and all people are excited that the UIC are coming
and bringing law and order after long time of rule by the
different warlords
Abdi Dahir, Kismayo, Somalia
The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) are by
the people of Somalia and for the people, they enjoy most of the
Somali people's support, after years of warlordism, divisionism,
and greedy thugs. UIC army and its leaders are working voluntarily
day and night to return the dignity of all Somali people. They are
indeed a uniting force since, we, Somalis, are tired of tribalism
which is rooted in ignorance and intolerance towards your Somali
brothers and sisters
Hassan, Kismayo, Somalia
Are you in Kismayo or are you one
those who left the port recently? Do you know anyone in the area
who is affected? Send us your accounts using the form below.
You can send pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
or text them to 07725 100 100.
SOURCE: BBC News
