Suspected Al-Shabaab militants kill KDF soldiers

NAIROBI, KENYA: At least two KDF personnel were shot dead in an ambush by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Kiunga area, Lamu at the Kenya-Somalia border.

A third soldier was seriously wounded. The soldiers hit back and managed to kill one of the attackers as others escaped in the Sunday evening attack.

Officials said the military land rover was driving in Milimani area when it got stuck in the mud with supplies it had.

“As they were struggling to push the land rover from the mud, another car stopped behind them before the occupants opened fire killing two soldiers and injured a third one. One of the soldiers hit back and killed one of the attackers,” said a senior officer aware of the attack who however asked not to be named.

Lamu East OCPD Samuel Obara said the two soldiers were killed by a group of about 10 militants who ambushed them. 

“The soldiers were transporting food from Hindi in Lamu to Ras Kamboni military camp when they were ambushed in mud,” said Obara. 

Military police said the attackers’ vehicle also caught fire as it tried to speed off the area. Two other gunmen managed to escape from the scene. A hunt for the men who escaped is ongoing.

Kenyan military are involved in operations within Somalia and the boarder to tame the militants who have been blamed for several similar attacks.

In a statement, KDF said the personnel had stopped a vehicle in the area when the occupants opened fire.

“Last night (Sunday) KDF soldiers operating in Kiunga flagged down a vehicle to stop. However, its occupants instead opened fire. Our soldiers retaliated killing one of the shooters. KDF is in hot pursuit of the other assailants who fled following the shoot out,” read part of a statement.