NAIROBI: Kenyan troops say they killed up to 51 Al-Shabaab militants including commanders responsible for Mandera attacks in operations in Jungal in Somalia.
Spokesman Col David Obonyo said the militants were killed Thursday in a bombardment about 40 kilometers from Bardere.
“Fifty one Al-Shabaab militants were killed including several middle-level commanders who have been responsible for attacks in Mandera area, 11 technical vehicles were also destroyed following the offensive,” said Obonyo.
He said an unspecified number of injured militants escaped to Bardere.
He added that Jungal was one of the main militants’ planning and operations bases in Gedo region, which has been an increase in militia activities recently.
Col Obonyo said the entry of KDF into Gedo is part of the efforts to prevent infiltration of the militants into Kenya through the common border and sufeguard the peace and security of Kenya.
The bombardment on the terror group came a day after they attacked and killed one soldier and injured another one.
Kenyan troops killed seven Al-Shabaab terrorists in battle in Lagolie in Somalia.
Obonyo said Al-Shabaab fighters ambushed the soldiers after a vehicle they were travelling in hit a home-made bomb planted on the road.
A KDF soldier died while another sustained injuries during the fight in the small township near Elade in Gedo region.
“The soldiers pursued the terrorists and in the ensuing fire fight seven Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed (and) eight AK-47 rifles, two grenades and assorted ammunition were seized. The injured soldier is receiving the necessary medical attention,” said Col Obonyo.
He said Al-Shabaab activities have heightened in the past week following “sustained pressure from troops operating under Amisom.
There are over 4,000 KDF soldiers in Somalia operating under Amisom, and their activities are restricted to Sector 2.
The other sectors are covered by troops from Uganda, Djibouti and Sierra Leone.
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