Kenya’s military said its soldiers have intensified both air and ground operations targeting Al-Shabaab camps in southern Somalia after the militants raided its camp in Kulbiyow on Friday, killing nine of its personnel.
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) spokesman Col. Paul Njuguna said on Saturday night that the troops operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) will relentlessly pursue the terrorists to ensure peace and stability of the region as well as support AMISOM in stabilizing Somalia.
“Since Friday, offensive ground and air operations have been intensified targeting Al-Shabaab camps and pacification of the area has been undertaken,” Njuguna said in a statement issued in Nairobi on Saturday night.
Njuguna confirmed that the bodies of the dead soldiers had been flown to Nairobi while the injured were receiving treatment at the Forces Memorial Hospital.
On Saturday, Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo and senior military officers visited the Defence Memorial Hospital to comfort the recuperating soldiers as well as address the next of kin of the dead soldiers.
Kenya said nine of its personnel were killed when Al-Shabaab overran the camp on Friday. Njuguna said KDF killed 70 Al-Shabaab militants while the terror group claimed at least 57 Kenyan soldiers had been killed.