Kismayo (Sunatimes) Somalia’s Al-Shabaab rebel leaders have reportedly contacted Kenyan government seeking negotiations as Kenyan military advanced towards rebel held Port city of Kismayo, a report denied by Kenya.

A Kenyan government official who did not want to be named because he is not authorized to talk to the media told CNN on Thursday that Al-Shabaab leaders want to talk Kenyan government but give no more details.

kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua has rubbished the reports that Al-Shabaab leaders contacted them for negotiations.

Kenyan military spokesman early Thursday said their troops struck several Al-Shabaab training sites in Somalia.

The group’s leaders are reaching out nearly two weeks after the troops stormed Somalia to hunt for Al-Shabaab, which Kenya blames for recent kidnappings of foreigners in the nation.

Kidnappers have seized two aid workers and two European tourists in the past month.

By Dahir Alasow