Kenyan forces destroy Al Shabaab camps

By Athman Amran

Kenya Air Force helicopters have destroyed Al Shabaab camps and killed several militants in Somalia.

On December 13 the military choppers destroyed Al-Shabaab camps at Garbaguso, Afmadow airstrip and Usingo.

The raids were also conducted by the Navy, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) spokesperson Colonel Cyrus Oguna said during the weekly briefing on the progress of the Operation Linda Nchi in Somalia.

The briefing, which took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry offices in Nairobi, on Saturday, marked the 62nd day since Kenya launched the offensive against Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Oguna said on December 14 Air Force helicopters destroyed an Al Shabaab camp at Wamaitho, as the group was preparing to attack Kenyan and TFG forces. And on December 15, helicopters destroyed an Al Shabaab camp at Bungavu in northern Somalia.

Oguna said during the attacks "there were severe casualties" on the side of the Al Shabaab and camps and equipment were completely destroyed.

There have been no casualties on the KDF and TFG forces, said Oguna, who could not give the exact number of the Al Shabaab deaths.

He said the number of the militants injured in the attacks runs into hundreds.

"Kismayu hospital has been overflowing with the injured," he said. Al Shabaab members captured by KDF have been handed over to the TFG forces.

Oguna said the air force has been attacking with "textbook precision" and has reduced collateral damage to "almost nil".

"Intelligence by local people has played a role in ensuring the target is legitimate. We will continue pushing. We will not relent," he said adding that TFG, which is now part of Amisom, is working with local people.

He however, warned those near Al Shabaab establishments in Afgayon, Barawe and Merla to move away.

Review operations

Oguna dismissed assumptions that joining the Amisom forces would undermine ability by the KDF to defend the Kenyan territory.

He said Kenya is looking at the right force levels and enablers to ensure there are tools to secure the country.

"If the Kenyan territory is threatened, KDF will come back and defend it and then go back to Amisom. KDF is very much committed and we will continue defending Kenya," Oguna said.

The spokesperson assured that the Indian Ocean has been safe since August and there has been a lot of activity. He said the shipping traffic has gone up while incidents of piracy have gone down.

"Things are quietly getting back to normal albeit not so fast," Oguna said.

Confidence in the tourism sector has started building and visitors are returning.

Police spokesperson Eric Kiraithe said on the local front security has been enhanced and cooperation from businessmen and the public has prevented possible attacks on airports, business premises and other areas in major towns.

Kiraithe said the Commissioner of Police has directed OCPDs and key security personnel in vital locations and hotels to review their operations.

He disclosed that by the middle of this week security would be tight at supermarkets, bus stops and other public places to ensure the safety of Kenyans.