(AKI) - Arab and Eritrean fighters are among combatants captured when Somali transitional government forces backed by Ethiopian troops entered the southern port of Kismayo on Monday and drove out Islamist forces from their last stronghold in the country, prime minister, Ali Mohammed Ghedi told a press conference on Tuesday.Ghedi however ruled out the possibility of further battles in southern Somalia between government forces and fighters from the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), according to Somalia's Radio Shabelle. He has announced the re-opening of Kismayo port and the local airport and has given Islamist fighters until Thursday to hand in their weapons. "They will enjoy an amnesty for Islamist militants and will be treated as equals," Ghedi stated.
Despite having been driven out of Kismayo with support form Ethiopian troops, fighter jets, Islamist leaders have vowed to continue their fight, leading to concerns they may launch a guerrilla campaign and draw in more foreign fighters. The United States government, which has accused the UIC of harbouring al-Qaeda terrorists, has signalled it is encouraging the transitional government to enter into dialogue with "all Somali parities of goodwill," including moderates with the movement. It is also pushing for the deployment of an African-led peacekeeping force.
The last international peacekeeping mission to Somalia ended in humiliation with the last troops being withdrawn after bloody fighting with Somali clan-based militias.