Kenyan soldiers have killed 31 Al-Shabaab terrorists after raiding their base in Baadhade, Somalia.
Eleven AK-47 rifles, four improvised explosives, communication equipment, food and military uniforms were seized.
Also seized at the bases used as command and logistics centres in Jubbaland district were 634 bullets and two anti-tank machine guns, military spokesman Col Joseph Owuoth has confirmed.
The raids on Sunday were carried out by ground troops supported by helicopter gunships.
“Following the operation, other Al-Shabaab fighters fled with injuries. Two Al-Shabaab vehicles were destroyed,” said Col Owouth.
“The intelligence-led operation was executed by air and ground assets. Ground troops were supported by attack helicopters and artillery fire to access the bases 17 kilometres from Sarira near Hola Wajeer,” added Col Owouth.
More than 4,000 Kenyan troops are deployed in what is called sector 2 in Somalia but have been carrying out operations in other areas that are not manned, whenever Al-Shabaab militants set up camps there.
Other sectors are occupied by forces from Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti.
Kenya first deployed soldiers in Somalia in October 2011 in Operation Linda Nchi before they were absorbed into the United Nations-backed African Union Mission in Somalia or Amisom the following year.
Al-Shabaab has over the years attracted foreign fighters especially after it merged with Al-Qaeda.
Source link-nation.co.ke
