http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-10/18/c_131198721.htm
NAIROBI, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan troops are making further advances some 120 kilometers deep inside Somalia to seize the rebel-held town of Afmadow, military officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Military Operations Information Officer Major Emmanuel Chirchir said the soldiers will soon capture the town which has been surrounded by al Shabaab fighters blamed for spate of abductions involving foreigners in Kenya.
"Our troops are advancing towards the Afmadow very soon and our activities will be concentrated in this town," Chirchir told Xinhua by telephone on Tuesday.
However, local officials said the progress of Kenya and Somali troops has been slowed by muddy terrain after heavy rain.
"It rained heavily near the Kenya-Somalia border but we hope the military operation will advance inside Somalia," said a military official on condition of anonymity.
The operation continued as tension remained high at the border between Kenya and Somalia where Nairobi's troops launched an offensive against Shebaab rebels on Sunday.
The Somali militant group, al Shabaab, has warned Kenya to withdraw its troops from Somalia, or face a serious conflict.
The Kenyan government launched the military operation dubbed Linda Nchi (Protect the country) in response to several cross- border abductions it blames on al Shabaab.
However, the Islamist group has denied being responsible for the recent kidnapping of two aid workers.
The warning promoted the Kenyan police to caution Nairobi residents to be careful as they go about their businesses in the city center.
They, however, assured that detectives have been mobilized to ensure security all the time in the city center following the threats.
Top on the list of areas the militant groups may target are public places like shopping malls, bus termini, market places, passenger services vehicles and office blocks.
The onslaught continued as the authorities arrested two British nationals as they were trying to cross the border into Somalia. The pair, originally from Welsh capital Cardiff were questioned and are now under investigation.
The pair were held close to the border with Somalia where a British woman Judith Tebbut was kidnapped and her husband David shot dead at their holiday resort last month.
It also comes after two Spanish aid workers were kidnapped from the Dadaab refugee camp and a French was taken from another resort.
Police in Wales are reportedly liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Embassy in Nairobi over the arrests.
The Foreign Office said it was aware "of reports of two British nationals detained in Kenya on Oct. 16 and we are seeking normal consular access".
"South Wales Police are currently in liaison with the Kenyan authorities in respect of two British nationals who have been detained near to the border with Somalia. The identities of these persons have yet to be formally confirmed, both are believed to be from the Cardiff area. The families of these persons have been notified," the police reportedly said in a statement.
The East African nation continued to flex its aerial military prowess as it reportedly launched air strikes on the Somali towns of Afmadow and Qoqani, the strategic al Shabaab strongholds, pushing its assault deeper toward central Somalia.
Kenya also announced it was ready to fight al Shabaab to its logical conclusion, adding that the military offensive against the terror group would continue until the militia are subdued.
Kenyan troops combed villages in Somalia in hot pursuit of the militia with armored vehicles, as its fighter jets overflew the enemy's territory.
Witnesses said they saw dozens of Kenyan military vehicles pouring over the border, backed by planes and helicopters even as reports said al Shabaab, which denies kidnapping Kenyans and foreigners, had amassed more men to back up its militia in Afmadow where they were being pinned down by the heavy firepower of the Kenya army and air force.
Al Shabaab militants had been gathering around the town since Monday but no clash between them and Kenyan forces had been reported.
Eyewitnesses say al Shabaab officials have forced truck owners to hand over their vehicles so that fighters can be moved towards Afmadow.
Afmadow is about 90 km on the main road north of the port city of Kismayo, al Shabaab 's main economic power base.
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