(SomaliNet) The defense minister of the transitional federal government and leader of the Juba Valley Coalition Bare Adam Shire Hirale is reported to have fled the port city of Kismayo with some his militiamen later on Sunday as Islamic fighters enter Kismayo.
Mr. Bare, who had earlier said he would defend Kismayo from Islamists, withdrew all his weapons and militiamen from the city this afternoon heading to unknown destination.
Heavily armed Islamic militants are in Kamsuma village 90km (55miles) west of Kismayo city.
Unconfirmed reports say bare Hirale and his militia went to Gedo region in southewest of Somalia where his clan based.
It is not clear whether Colonel Hirale is making military tactic and wants to launch counter attack just as the Islamists enter the city.
Currently, no one controls the strategic city of Kismayo after former ruler Bare Hirale abandoned there.
Some reports say hundreds of Islamic forces entered Kismayo city in south of Somalia with out war and the Islamic Courts receives warm welcome from the residents.
Kismayo is 500km south of Somalia capital and is strategic coastal city.
Bare’s withdrawal from Kismayo ends the life of Juba Valley Coalition which has already faced political rifts for the past months.
The take over by Islamic courts in Kismayo peacefully is severe blow to the shaky government based in Baidoa, southwest of Somalia.