Missiles strike rebels as more support Kenya

Al-Shabaab strongholds around Mogadishu have been bombed in a surprise missile attack.

At least three huge explosions rocked regions held by the extremist groups on Sunday, witnesses said on Monday.

But it was unclear who had launched the missiles. (Read: Nine militants killed in raid as Kenya seeks UN support)

The attacks were reported in Afgoye region, some 30km south of Mogadishu. The area is under the control of the Islamic militants who are fighting the Somali Transitional Federal Government.

Two other explosions were reported on Sunday night in the K50 area, some 50km from Mogadishu, also held by the Al-Qaeda-linked insurgents.

“We saw a huge light and a heavy explosion followed, like a missile striking, but we don’t know if there are casualties,” said Mr Abdikarin Isa, a resident of Afgoye, a sprawling encampment of displaced people.

Mr Abdullahi Jumale, another witness, said what he believed to be a missile hit near an orphanage.

“I was having dinner when I saw huge light coming from the western side of the town and there was heavy explosion, it hit near Tadamun orphanage,” he said.

Witnesses also said other explosions were heard near military camps of Al-Shabaab.

“We heard heavy explosions, something like a missiles, striking several areas in the region including Ambareso and K50 area,” said Mr Idiris Moalim, a local elder.

“Some of these explosions happened at Al-Shabaab military camps and checkpoints but nothing is quite clear so far,” he added.

“There was another heavy explosion near Lantaburo, there was fire and smoke but I cannot say what exactly happened,” Mr Mohamed Ali, another witness in K50, told the Nation on telephone.

None of the witnesses reported any aircraft flying overhead, leading to speculation that the missiles were fired from ships in the Indian Ocean.

The attacks came as Kenya secured growing international support for the military operation in Somalia against Al-Shabaab.

On Monday, member states of Indian Ocean Rim that include Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the UAE, and Yemen announced plans for a joint strategy to fight piracy and Al-Shabaab.

More backing

Kenya also got the backing of Israel, with President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring they would help Kenya in its struggles to secure its borders.

The two countries will later today sign a memorandum of understanding for cooperation on matters of homeland security.

Kenya’s military has said it would launch aerial attacks against rebel positions.

The US has admitted flying unmanned drones out of a base neighbouring Ethiopia. It has also used ships and bases in Seychelles and Djibouti to launch drones and missiles.

No confirmation was available from the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) or the Africa Union contingent in Mogadishu on the source of the Sunday night missile attacks.

On Saturday, Kenyan and Somali troops killed nine Al-Shabaab militiamen after a joint patrol came across a camp of the extremist group in Gedo region in Southern Somalia.

KDF spokesman, Major Emmanuel Chirchir, said that four Kenyan soldiers were injured in the firefight.

Reports from the Nation correspondent in Mogadishu, however, say the clash came after Al-Shabaab fighters attacked a Kenyan position.

Over the weekend, Kenya asked the UN Security Council to help the campaign to neutralise Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia.

Kenya’s ambassador to UN, Mr Macharia Kamau, said the Security Council should facilitate deployment of AU (Amisom) troops in areas wrestled from Al-Shabaab.

And speaking in Eldoret on Monday, President Kibaki urged Kenyans to remain vigilant at this time when the country has waged an operation inside Somalia.

President Kibaki said wananchi must be on the lookout for persons who may seek to destabilise the nation.

Additional reporting by Mazera Ndurya, AFP, PMPS