A/HRC/21/61 Mogadishu to be brought under the authority of the Transitional Federal Government, which provided it with an opportunity to serve the people better. 14. Despite the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu, however, heavy armed clashes between AMISOM, the Transitional Federal Government and allied forces against Al-Shabaab continued elsewhere through December 2011 and January 2012. The clashes were mainly confined to the city’s outer districts. Thereafter, the frequency and effectiveness of insurgent attacks started to decline as pressure mounted from reinforced Government and AMISOM forces, culminating in a successful mid-February incursion towards the Afgooye corridor. This extended Government and AMISOM influence beyond Mogadishu, which continues to be the case. 15. An additional element in the conflict was the more visible return of Ethiopian troops. By concentrating heavy combat elements in the border towns, they drove AlShabaab out from important strongholds, including from the key city of Baidoa. AlShabaab responded by changing their tactics, with a combination of conventional warfare, as well as asymmetrical attacks, causing fatalities and contributing to ongoing instability. 16. The arrival of Kenyan forces in October 2011 was another new development. They were officially brought under AMISOM control on 6 July 2012. They played an important role, including through air strikes, in capturing recovering territories in the south-central region from Al-Shabaab, who tried to hinder their in military advances by hit-and-run attacks. 17. The emergence of multiple fronts, coupled with internal divisions, defections and loss of foreign fighters, began to weaken Al-Shabaab forces. During the reporting period, AMISOM and Somalia security forces extended their territorial control over most of central and southern Somalia, and were poised to capture Kismaayo. 18. The troop strength of AMISOM stood at approximately 9,800 troops in sector 1 (Mogadishu). Approximately 4,660 troops from Kenya were deployed in sector 2 (southern Somalia), bringing the total current troops strength to approximately 14,460. With the arrival of an additional 2,500 troops from Burundi and Uganda to be deployed in sector 3 (Baidoa and central Somalia), and another 600 troops from Djibouti deployed in sector 4 (Beledweyne and eastern Hiraan), AMISOM strength was expected to soon reach its mandated ceiling of 17,731. 19. As a result of the increased strength of AMISOM forces, the freedom of movement of people in Mogadishu improved significantly. This was possible largely through the disposal of landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices throughout Mogadishu. 20. Regular training of AMISOM forces on humanitarian law and human rights law yielded positive results, including with regard to the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence. Public perception and approval of AMISOM appeared to increase significantly. According to observers, military operations of February 2012 in the Afgooye corridor showed that measures taken by AMISOM to minimize civilian casualties by choosing specific routes of attack and requiring multiple verifications of targets were largely successful. 21. There were also positive developments in the strengthening of the National Security Forces. A coordination committee was formed to review the code of conduct, future logistic installations, payroll data, gender mapping and the veterans’ pension scheme, and to organize distribution of military vehicles and equipment. The Independent Expert is, however, concerned that capacity-building of the Security Forces remained constrained by the limited ability of the Government to pay and equip troops. 5