20111026
Press TV
Two Kenyan jet fighters have crashed after colliding over southern Somalia, Press TV reports.

The two fighter planes crashed between the towns of Kismayu and Qooqani, a Somali military officer told the Press TV correspondent in Mogadishu on Tuesday.

The jets were heading to the southern port city of Kismayu after targeting the positions of al-Shabab fighters in southern Somalia, the officer added.

On Monday, a Kenyan jet bombed an al-Shabab base near the port in Kismayu, an al-Shabab stronghold.

Kenyan troops began an air and ground offensive against al-Shabab in southern Somalia last week after Nairobi accused the militants of being behind several kidnappings of foreigners carried out on its territory, including the abduction of a French woman who later died in captivity. However, the militant group has denied involvement in the incidents.

Kenyan troops are now preparing for a new operation, in which they will attempt to capture the key southern town of Afmadow, which is controlled by al-Shabab.

The Somali government has said it is "unacceptable" for Kenyan forces to be in Somalia without Mogadishu's approval.