Seven al-Shabaab fighters killed as KDF captures Somali township
Mandera County Police Commander Bernard Nyakwaka (left) at the scene of an attack by suspected al-Shabaab terrorists in Mandera on January 23, 2017. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Defence headquarters said the troops were on routine operations when they launched an offensive against al-Shabaab positions.
Two bombs and eight AK-47 assault rifles belonging to al-Shabaab were seized from the battle field.
Also found were loads of live ammunition, al-Shabaab flags, parts of improvised explosive devices and machetes.
Seven al-Shabaab fighters were killed as the Kenya Defence Forces captured Badhaadhe township in Somalia on Tuesday.
Defence headquarters said the troops were on routine operations when they launched an offensive against al-Shabaab positions.
“KDF soldiers operating under African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) successfully launched an offensive operation on al-Shabaab terrorists who had taken control of a mosque and a police station in the area,” said Lt Colonel Paul Njuguna.
Two bombs and eight AK-47 assault rifles belonging to al-Shabaab were seized from the battle field.
Also found were loads of live ammunition, al-Shabaab flags, parts of improvised explosive devices and machetes.
Lt Col Njuguna said of the 5am onslaught: “KDF soldiers remain vigilant and will continue to relentlessly pursue the terrorists to ensure peace and security for our country as well as support for Amisom operations in order to stabilise Somalia.”
Al-Shabaab had taken advantage of a tactical withdrawal of KDF troops from Badhaadhe in January last year.
The Kenyan troops had established base at Hulugho until they returned to Badhaadhe on Tuesday.
KDF has more than 4,000 troops in Somalia since October 2011.
Pursued on their own soil, the al-Shabaab terrorists have carried out attacks on soft targets in Kenya, killing innocent and unarmed civilians.
On Monday, a police reservist was killed in a gun fight with al-Shabaab terrorists in Mandera, stopping them from attacking the deputy governor’s home and a hotel.
The terrorists had also planned to raid the police station.
The attackers had planted several explosives on the road leading to the police station before they were spotted. They detonated the explosives after shooting the reservist, destroying part of a building hosting Equity Bank.
Al-Shabaab terrorists have staged at least 10 attacks on Kenyan soil since July last year.
Mandera bore the brunt of the invasions, which also occurred in Lamu, Garissa and Mombasa over the period.
