Somali/Ethiopian forces seize Kismaayo, the last Islamic stronghold.

The new year brought the Islamist defeat. Somali/Ethiopian forces have seized the town of Kismaayo and Islamists have retreated.

Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi ordered a countrywide disarmament that goes into effect Tuesday, an immense task in Somalia, which is awash with weapons after a 15-year civil war.

The Islamic forces began to disintegrate after a night of artillery attacks at the front line and following a mutiny within its ranks, witnesses said.

The Islamic forces have a base near the Kenyan border on a small peninsula called Ras Kamboni, where there is a pier and traditional oceangoing boats known as dhows. Ethiopian MiG fighter jets flew low over the ocean looking for boats that might be carrying the escaping Islamic fighters.

For a day by day presentation of the war, click here.