Reuters news agency reports that columns of al-Shabab battle-wagons mounted with heavy machine guns have rushed to reinforce Afmadow, which is about 90km north of the port city of Kismayo, al-Shabab's main economic power base.

BBC: French hostage Marie Dedieu held in Somalia dies

Teams of Marines backed by Cobra attack helicopters, .50-caliber machine guns, grenade launchers and TOW missiles patrolled the area around the camp, carrying photographs of al Qaeda leaders with them.

CNN: U.S. Taliban fighter held at Marine base in Afghanistan