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Al Shabaab suffer casualties against KDF


Two Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers and 21 Al Shabaab militants were killed in a shootout in Lower Juba Region on Sunday afternoon.

During the incident, KDF recovered 19 AK47 rifles, 3 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and a pistol.

KDF spokesman Colonel David Obonyo said that a convoy of KDF soldiers operating under Amisom were on their way to Afmadhow when they engaged the Al Shabaab militants who had laid an ambush in the Lower Juba Region.

“Regrettably, KDF suffered two fatalities and five injuries,” Col Obonyo said.

During the fierce engagement, Col Obonyo said, the overpowered Al Shabaab militants resorted to use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), damaging one of the KDF vehicles. Five soldiers were injured and were evacuated.

“The injured were evacuated and receiving medical attention,” he said.

FIERCE BATTLE

On Wednesday last week, the KDF also killed 19 Al Shabaab militants in Afmadhow. The KDF personnel recovered a vehicle, 10 AK 47 rifles and three RPGs.

The militants are said to have planned to attack a camp occupied by the Amisom and Somali National Army troops in Afmadhow, Lower Juba Region.

“The Al Shabaab terrorists had approached the camp at night with the intention to attack and cut off the SNA from Amisom (KDF) camp. KDF soldiers on patrol identified the militants and engaged them in a fierce battle,” Col Obonyo said.

Last Wednesday’s shooting came just two weeks after a US strike killed more than 150 Al Shabaab militants at a training camp where a large scale attack was being planned.

“We know they were going to be departing the camp and they posed an imminent threat to US and (African Union) forces,” spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said.