Photo: Abdimalik Yusuf

The Union of Islamic Courts forces met no resistance in Kismayo, Somalia. (file photo)

Kismayo — Unknown warships off the Somali coast bombarded Somalia's southern port city of Kismayo, 500 Km south of Mogadishu, Somali capital on Wednesday afternoon, forcing local residents to flee, reports said.

Kismayo residents, who requested anonymity, told Shabelle Media station in Mogadishu via telephone that the warships shelled villages in the heart of the rebel-held town on Wednesday, saying it was an apparent strike on Islamist militants' bases.

"Missiles fired from unidentified warships are raining down into the town, we run to the concrete buildings, to save our selves and avoid casualties--the situation is very tense everybody is fearful," another resident said.

Some news accounts quoted locals as saying that at least one person was killed and another has been seriously injured in the naval shelling.

No government has yet said it carried out the attack.

Kismayo, a key town and the largest town controlled by Al shabab that is located near the Indian Ocean on the southern tip of Somalia