Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Kenyan troops kill 14 Al Shabaab militants



By Cyrus Ombati

Kenyan troops in Somalia killed 14 Al Shabaab militants and destroyed their command centre.
The troops, together with those of the Somali Transitional Federal Government, said they recovered communication equipment in the Tuesday dawn raid.
Military Spokesman, Maj Emmanuel Chirchir said no casualties had been reported on the troops’ side.
"One technical destroyed and communication equipment recovered. No casualty on KDF/TFG troops. The command centre located between Elade and El Wilnley," he said in a Twitter posting.
Maj Chirchir also called for the support of commanders on the ground as they battled with the militants.
"Let commanders fight their battles. Let’s rally behind their concepts as they step up the good work," he tweeted.
Under siege
The attack was the latest in a renewed attack on the militants who appear to be under siege as KDF troops race towards Kismayu and other strongholds in the war torn nation.
Last Friday, more than 10 militants were killed in a similar raid in the neighbouring country.
The Kenyan forces have displaced the insurgents from their territory and killed dozens of them since they ventured into Somalia last October.
The areas under KDF/TFG forces include Ras Kamboni, Bulgabo, Tabda, Girmna, Hosingo, Elare and Badhadhe.
Kenya and Somali government troops are currently carrying out a joint military offensive against the Al-Qaeda linked movement.
The offensive was launched following a spate of kidnappings targeting foreigners on Kenyan soil last year, which were blamed on the militant group.
Border insecurity
The two governments accused Shabaab of being behind the growing insecurity along the common border of the two countries.
Kismayo has been the terror gang’s main source of income over the years.
Chirchir said troops now controlled over 95,000 square kilometres of Somalia – territory that was initially occupied by Al Shabaab fighters.

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