A Kenyan warship has fired shells at the Somali town of Kismayo, the largest remaining stronghold of Somali militant group al-Shabab.

The warship fired ten rounds of shells at the coastal town on Monday, apparently after being provoked by an al-Shabab gunboat. No one was injured.

Kenyan Army spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir confirmed the ship's identity in an interview with VOA .

“The warship that is shelling Kismayo — I don't think there is any other countries that is in AMISOM that has a warship there. There's only Kenya.”

Kenyan forces are part of the African Union force, known as AMISOM, that is fighting al-Shabab in support of the Somali government. Kenya has vowed to drive the militants out of Kismayo, and residents say some people have fled the city to avoid any clashes.

Two years ago, al-Shabab controlled much of southern and central Somalia, including most of the capital, Mogadishu.

Since then, AMISOM, Ethiopian and Somali government forces have retaken control of most Somali towns and cities. The turn of events has raised hope that a new government being formed can bring stability to Somalia, which has not had a stable government in more than two decades.