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The United Nations and United States warned Wednesday (September 19th) that civilians must be protected as forces battling al-Shabaab tightened the noose around the key city of Kismayo, AFP reported.

More than 6,000 civilians have fled ahead of the anticipated assault on the strategic port city, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, with aid agencies preparing for a potential swift escalation of those needing support.

"We understand that humanitarian agencies have begun contingency planning to respond to the needs of those civilians fleeing from Kismayo," the US embassy in Nairobi said in a statement. "We call on all parties to ensure full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to reach those civilians affected by the fighting."

United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Somalia Mark Bowden met Wednesday with Kenyan officials following the "spike in civilian displacement". He repeated a call "for all parties to the conflict to make every effort to minimise the impact of conflict on civilians".

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) announced Wednesday that the fall of Kismayo was imminent after 50 al-Shabaab members were killed in Jana Abdalla, 40 kilometres from the port city.

Kenyan military spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna said the capture of Jana Abdalla is a "major milestone in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) offensive towards the liberation of the port city of Kismayo".

AMISOM has appealed residents to remain calm following reports that members of al-Shabaab were terrorising them as they fled the town.

"AMISOM is concerned about reports that civilians are being attacked by militants in their homes and being forced to flee the town," AMISOM Deputy Force Commander Major General Simon Karanja said in a statement.

Meanwhile, KDF spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir has offered amnesty to Kenyan citizens fighting with al-Shabaab.

"The capture of Kismayo is imminent. Kenya [government] extends amnesty to Kenyans fighting in Somalia as al-Shabaab. Retreat peacefully now!!" Chirchir posted on his Twitter account.

Al-Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage has denied reports that the militants are retreating.