KDF and Somalia Army capture key port town of Kuday from Al-Shabaab
Amisom troops during an operation in Mogadishu. KDF and Somalia Army troops operating under Amiosm Sunday morning March 22, 2015 captured the key port town of Kuday and killed several Al-Shabaab militants. AFP PHOTO | ABDULFITAH HASHI NOR
What you need to know:
- A major beach landing operation was carried out at 4.30am Sunday in which several Al-Shabaab fighters were killed.
- The militants used the town as a key base for their logistical and operational work from where they launched attacks in southern Sudan.
- The operation comes a week after a senior Al-Shabaab commander who masterminded the Westgate terrorist attack was killed in a US drone attack.
- With the capture of Kuday by Amisom, the forces now have control of key port towns in what is referred to as sector two.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and Somalia troops working under the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) have captured a key port town from Al-Shabaab fighters.
According to a statement signed by Col David Obonyo, a major beach landing operation was carried out at 4.30am Sunday in which several Al-Shabaab fighters were killed.
At the same time, five technical vehicles belonging to the fighters were destroyed and ammunition seized.
Kuday was the remaining Al-Shabaab stronghold in Somalia.
KEY LOGISTICAL BASE
The militants used the town as a key base for their logistical and operational work from where they launched attacks in southern Sudan.
The town was also being used as a key entry point for contraband goods into Somalia.
The successful Amisom operation comes a week after a senior Al-Shabaab commander who masterminded the Westgate attack was killed in a US drone attack.
Adan Garar who was killed in Bardhere is the highest-ranking Al-Shabaab commander to be killed since Ahmed Abdi Godane was eliminated in a similar strike in September 2014.
Although KDF did not take part in Garar’s killing, the Kenyan military exchanged intelligence with the US forces before the operation was conducted.
With the capture of Kuday by Amisom, the forces now have control of key port towns in what is referred to as sector two.
