Three missing KDF soldiers found alive

By Cyrus Ombati

Three Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers reported missing after clashes with Al Shabaab militia in Somalia have been found.

Military spokesman Maj Emmanuel Chirchir announced the troops, who were among five soldiers who went missing during the capture of Miido town, had rejoined their colleagues. “Three of KDF troops missing found. Bravo Special Forces and for your bravery, hats off,” Chirchir said in a posting without elaborating on their status.

The two other soldiers, however, died in the clash with the Al Shabaab as the Amisom troops pressed on with the march to the port city of Kismayo. Chirchir appealed to residents of Kismayo to inform them where the bodies of the two would be buried.

“To the people of Kismayo...be on the lookout where the remains of our heroes will be buried. That will be our welcome gesture,” said Chirchir in a twitter posting.

The militants displayed the bodies of two Kenyan soldiers and two Transitional Federal Government troops in Kismayo town.

Reports said the bodies were dragged in the streets of Kismayo on Saturday morning. Al Shabaab often drag bodies of foreign soldiers killed in Somalia for political reasons.

Kismayo, which is part of lower Juba region, is currently the target of Amisom and Somali forces who intend to capture it from Al Shabaab militants. The soldiers are believed to have been killed outside a house they intended to raid.