Al Shabaab set jet on fire after crash, says KDF

Ministry of Defence has said that KDF jet crashed in Al Shabaab territory and the militia set it on fire. (Photo:Reuters)

Nairobi, Kenya: The Kenya Defence Forces has said that its aircraft that crashed in Kismayu on Thursday was set on fire by Al Shabaab after it fell.

KDF spokesman Colonel David Obonyo said the jet crashed within Al Shabaab territory.

“The aircraft crashed within enemy territory, Al Shabaab militia reached the site of the crashed aircraft and set it on fire,” said Obonyo in a statement.

The fate of the pilot, however, is still unknown.

Before the crash, the pilot is said to have made a distress call to a pilot in another jet after the aircraft developed technical problems while returning from a combat mission in Jamaame, Somalia.

“KDF aircraft while returning from a combat mission in Somalia developed technical problems. The pilot of the aircraft made a distress call to his wingman; the pilot in a second aircraft,” said Obonyo.

According to the KDF spokesman, the two aircraft were from a successful mission where they destroyed Araare, an Al Shabaab base which had been confirmed by intelligence as an operation and logistics base. He adds that several Al Shabaab militia including foreign fighters were killed, and many others injured and equipment destroyed during the airstrikes.

Al Shabaab, however claim that they brought down the jet fighter which was bombing Bulaguduud town in Somalia.