Ethiopia has said it is preparing to pull its forces out of Somalia, after providing assistance to the country's fragile transitional government.
But there are fears that if Ethiopian troops leave, the capital Mogadishu will fall and opposition fighters, including al-Shabab, will take over the country.
Al-Shabab already control most of the south, including the port city of Kismayo. Mohammed Adow reports from the city as part of his exclusive series on the group.