How the KDF soldiers killed 57 al Shabaab militants in ambush attack

juma chrispinus

March 3, 2017 8:17 AM

KDF spokesman Col Joseph Owuoth said in a statement that dozens of militants sustained injuries in the 8.45 am attack.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers on a mission in Somalia have gunned down 57 heavily armed gunmen, who they suspect to be affiliated to a militant group al Shabaab.

The heavy Afmadow area bombardment Thursday was an ambush attack to the militant group, the military has told the press.

KDF spokesman Col Joseph Owuoth said in a statement that the 8.45 am incident happened close to Subow Centre and involved artillery fire and helicopter gunships.

“In the onslaught, 57 Al-Shabaab militants were killed and unknown number injured. Following the engagement, five technical were destroyed among other weapons,” said Col Owuoth in a statement.

He has retaliated that the armed men are still in the area to pacify it from the militants.

“KDF soldiers remain vigilant and will continue to relentlessly pursue the terrorist to ensure peace and security of our country Kenya, as well as support AMISOM operations in order to stabilize Somalia,” said Lt Col Njuguna.

Since the overthrow of President Siad Barre's military regime in 1991, Somalia has not had a stable and effective central government. The state of affairs ushered in more than two decades of anarchy and conflict in a country deeply divided along clan lines.

KDF went to Somalia in October 2011 on a mission to quell the then widespread abductions in an arson extended to Kenya by the militia.

See:AL SHABAAB MILITANTS CARRY OUT A DAWN ATTACK ON A MANDERA AP CAMP

Kenya's incursion into southern Somalia started after the kidnapping of two Spanish women, who were working for MSF at the Dadaab refugee camp. The abductions were carried out by the militants who the troops said planned to push away under the Operation Linda Nchi.

Two years later, the troops managed to take control of Kismayo port under Operation Sledge Hammer.

There have been calls to the government by the opposition to withdraw the armed men form the neighboring Somalia as the militants kept executing some of the men.

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