Witnesses on Wednesday said naval ships fired missiles on the strategic port city of Kismayo, the largest seaport town still held by al-Shebab militants in southern Somalia.
Mohamed Hassan, a resident in Kismayo confirmed to RFI that the naval attacks on Kismayo about 500 Km south of Somalia's capital Mogadishu took place.
Witnesses in the town said that the situation is very tense as local residents began to flee from their homes.
This, as the allied forces move closer to the town.
Residents now fear air, sea and ground attacks that could result heavy civilian casualties.
Kenyan military spokesman Col. Cyrus Oguna told the media that seven people believed to be members of al-Shebab were killed in shelling that targeted what he said was an arms cache.
Al-Shebab officials were unavailable for comments on the naval shelling.
Residents said the naval attack begun after Al-Shebab militants dragged the bodies of four Kenyan soldiers into the streets of Kismayo.
The Kenyan fleet responded by launching strikes on the city.
Al-Shebab dragged the bodies into the street following a fierce battle near Afmadow that left dozens of people, mostly combatants dead.
Amisom, on their part confirmed that five Amisom personnel were missing in action after the battle which led the fall of Miido which is a strategically located town between Afmadow and Kismayo.
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