Kenyan jets were on Wednesday pounding al Shabaab positions in Somalia as ground forces prepared a fresh assault against the militia group.

The airstrikes were carried out in areas between Kismayu and the border with Kenya.

On the fourth day of the operation code-named Operation Linda Nchi (Kiswahili for ‘Operation Protect the Nation’), Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula launched a diplomatic drive to win support for Kenya’s offensive against the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab terror group.

In Nairobi, the army spokesman, Major Emmanuel Chirchir, said Kenyan fighter planes have been hitting al Shabaab positions as Kenyan-backed Somali government ground troops moved in to drive out the rebels.

“Our forces are in good shape to fight this battle to the end,” Maj Chirchir said.

The main base of Kenyan operations is at Qooqani, some 100 kilometres from the border, as they prepare to push forward to seize Afmadow, which Somali government forces are already fighting to secure.