Linda Nchi's Operation ("Protect the country"; Swahili: Linda Nchi lang> span) is the code name for a coordinated military operation between the Kenyan military and the Somali military that began on October 16, 2011, when troops from Kenya crossed the border into the southern Somalia conflict zone. The soldiers chased al-Shabaab militants allegedly kidnapped several foreign tourists and aid workers inside Kenya. According to the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, the operation is one of the final stages of the Somali Civilist Islamist insurgency.
Video Operation Linda Nchi
Lead and plan
The Kenyan offensive to southern Somalia began after the abduction of two Spanish women, who worked for MÃÆ'  © decins Sans FrontiÃÆ'¨res in the Dadaab refugee camp. The kidnapping was allegedly carried out by al Shabaab militants. MÃÆ'  © decins Sans FrontiÃÆ'¨¨res issued a press statement at that time escaped from armed activities and related declarations launched after the abduction. The Kenyan government claims the deployment of its troops has received approval from the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Kenyan Foreign Minister, Moses Wetangula, stated that the deployment of Kenyan troops was at the request of TFG. The Kenyan military says there is no set date for the operation, but the success indicator of the mission will paralyze Shabaab's ability.
According to The Guardian , "some sources agree [...] that Kenya's intervention plan was discussed and decided in 2010, then resolved with input from western partners, including the US and at lower French levels", with Nairobi on abduction "as an excuse to launch a ready and waiting operation." On 27 October, Kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua said Linda Nchi was planned several months earlier and had been "lasting for quite a while", and refused participation from western forces. The operation is reported to have a high approval rating from the Kenyan population.
On October 16, Reuters reported that Somali and Kenyan military officials met last weekend for negotiations in the city of Dhobley, located in Somalia near the Kenyan border. According to an unnamed security source, "the meeting was to prepare for a joint operation between two troops... to launch an offensive against Al-Shabaab rebels scattered in different parts of southern Somalia".
Maps Operation Linda Nchi
16 October attacks
On October 16, an unnamed Somali military commander said that Kenyan troops had crossed the border and, in joint operations with Somali forces, pushed Al Shabaab out of two bases near the Kenyan border. Abdi Yusuf, a senior Somali military commander, confirmed that two fighter planes attacked Al Shabaab base, but did not confirm their origin. He noted: "I can not identify military aircraft, but our Kenyan neighbors fully support us militarily and our mission is to drive Al-Shabaab out of the region". Somali ambassador to Kenya, Mohamed Ali Nur, replied, "We can not let any country cross our border." TFG spokesman Abdirahman Omar Yarisow later opposed Nur, insisting that "the Somali and Kenyan governments are now working together in the war against Al-Shabaab."
Cooperation agreement
Signed
On October 18, Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and other TFG officials hosted a Kenyan delegation in Mogadishu to discuss security cooperation against Al-Shabaab. Somali Defense Minister Hussein Arab Isse and Kenya's Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Haji later signed an agreement to collaborate against Al-Shabaab. Both countries pledged to "cooperate in security and military operations", including "coordinated pre-emptive action". The agreement is reported to limit Kenya's activities to the southern Lower Juba region.
Despite media reports claiming otherwise, Kenya Defense Minister Yusuf Haji denied Kenyan military involvement in the arrest by TFG troops from several Al-Shabaab bases in Lower Juba. He added that "Kenya is training more TFG troops in the past and they are now fighting against al-Shabaab in southern Somalia and we are providing them with logistical and financial support." Defense Minister Somalia Isse welcomed Kenya's participation, stating that Somalia "needs Kenya's support so our troops will be able to end al-Shabaab or other threats against Kenya and Somalia".
Opposition to the pact
On October 24, President Ahmed reiterated that although he welcomed Kenya's logistical support, he opposed the Kenyan military presence. These statements before the press appeared to be contrary to a cooperation agreement signed between Somalia's defense ministers and Kenya on 18 October. Ahmed claims his government and people in Somalia have opposed the presence of Kenyan troops since Somalia's federal government "has no deal with Kenya outside helping us with logistics". According to the media, Ahmed's remarks probably stem from fears that the Kenyan government supports the creation of an autonomous Jubaland in southern Somalia. Ahmed reportedly earlier protested the deployment of 2,500 Somalians trained in Kenya to southern Somalia, on the grounds that troops were sent to Mogadishu to support the TFG there.
A leaked cable 2010 detailing a meeting between TFG and the US government states that "Sharif offers a quality" yes "when asked if he supports the Kenyan Government's Low Juba Initiative (GOK)] and that he" told GOK that TFG is not want to see Somalia divided again [...] GOK has assured TFG that it also does not want to see Somalia divided and that it is meant to use the troops that are now trained in Kenya for national rather than regional missions. "The cable also states that" the willingness of [Ahmed] who qualifies to support the long-term incubation of the old Counseling Initiative at this meeting is different from the skepticism he expressed to the Somali Unit in Nairobi about two weeks ago ", where Sharif" suggests that Troops in training at Isiolo do not have broad-based clan representation and speculate that it might be better to take them to Mogadishu and integrate them into existing TFG security forces. He also at the meeting seemed more skeptical of GOK's ability to manage a cross. - offensive border. "In addition, Cable stated that" Sharif predicted that efforts to reform TFG security forces in Mogadishu, TFG reach ASWJ, and troops trained by Kenya and Ethiopia would join into a comprehensive effort to push Al-Shabaab out of southern central Somalia. "
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali released a statement indicating that military operations will help strengthen regional security. But he later reportedly did not recognize any pact that the Somali government has with the Kenyan government to cross the border into Somalia, stating that "We have no deal with Kenya We understand that we must defend ourselves against militants but there is no evidence. we agree with Kenya ". He dismissed media reports suggesting he disagreed with the President. Both issued a joint statement on 27 October denying an agreement between TFG and the Kenyan government to allow Kenyan attacks on Somalia. In referring to a cooperation agreement with the Kenyan government reached before the October 18 Mogadishu pact, Defense Minister Somalia Isse also indicated that "the Somali government and Kenya's ministers simply agree to tackle the battle against Al-Shabaab together by Kenya supporting Somali forces."
Opposition to the actions of Kenya was criticized by some other TFG officials, the allied militia with TFG, and many ordinary Somalis. Many felt that Sharif did not fully understand the negative impact of Al Shabaab's actions on the general public. Protests have been reported in the cities of Dhobley, Tabto and Qoqani, the area where Kenyan troops have passed. His position is reportedly contrary to some military officials and TFG Somalia, the latter considers the deployment of Kenyan troops as an extension of Kenya's support in ousting al-Shabaab rebels.
Shared commune
On October 31, a Somali delegation led by Prime Minister Ali met in Nairobi with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other government officials to overcome differences and to outline a joint strategy on Operation Linda Nchi. After long talks, the delegates issued a joint communique promising coordinated military, political and diplomatic support for the mission, requesting that the AU peacekeeping mission area to Somalia (AMISOM) be captured from Al-Shabaab, and that the International Criminal Court (ICC) started a formal investigation into the group commander. The communiqué states that "the Somali government supports the activities of the Kenyan forces, which is fully coordinated with TFG Somalia". Kenyan Premier Odinga took the opportunity to eliminate media reports alleging that the Kenyan government supports plans to establish an autonomous Jubaland region in southern Somalia. He said that the Somali and Kenyan governments would support the formation of local government in liberated areas according to domestic consensus. In addition, Prime Minister Somalia Ali urged the international community to support the joint operation, stating that the mission "will be led by Somali forces with the support of Kenyan forces". The two delegations also formed a "high-level coordinating committee" together to maintain a regular relationship between their respective governments.
Nevertheless, academic observers and the International Crisis Group have characterized the operation as Kenya intervention.
Support consolidation
Arab League
On November 12th, Lindsay Kiptiness, a senior official at Kenya's Foreign Ministry, announced that the Kenyan government is seeking to get support from TFG supporters from the Arab and Islamic world. Asked by BBC to comment on Kenya's offer for aid, former US Ambassador to Ethiopia David H. Shinn indicated that since Kenya is not a member of the Arab League and Somalia is, "if TFG and Kenya have co-ordinated their positions, there is the possibility of the Arab League, TFG in the past, may issue a positive statement about Kenya's involvement in Somalia. "Shinn added that" the Arab League is unlikely to offer any real support, "but that" positive statements may, however, encourage one or more members of the Arab League themselves to offer real support. "
Intergovernmental Authority on Development
On November 17, Somalia's President Sharif Ahmed met in Nairobi with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The three leaders agreed on a common approach in fighting Al-Shabaab militias to ensure regional security.
On November 18, the Voice of America reported that an alliance of countries in East Africa planned a wider joint military campaign to overturn Al-Shabaab. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) meeting scheduled for November 25 will be reported to urge all member states, including Ethiopia, to donate troops to the operation. The Ethiopian official indicated that no official decision had been made regarding joining the forces of the contributing countries. However, State Department spokesman Dina Mufti stated that "You can easily guess Ethiopia will be part and parcel of this process [...] The decision was not made to send troops, but per IGAD board resolution of the past months, all countries members of IGAD, the African Union and others will also be called, will be called, will be expected to somehow contribute something to strengthen operations in Somalia. "
Ethiopia
On Nov. 19, locals reported watching 28 Ethiopian military trucks and APC loaded troops building a front base in Guri'el, Somalia. Ethiopian government spokesman Shimeles Kemal will not confirm or deny the report. However, Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dina Mufti dismissed reports of Ethiopian military deployment as "completely untrue, there are absolutely no troops in Somalia [...] People are just speculating". Mufti added that "there is an intention on the part of IGAD members to strengthen peacekeeping troops, because as you know regional countries are working to increase the number of AMISOMs". Somali government spokesman Abdirahman Omar Osman also denied that Ethiopian troops had entered the country, stating that the Ethiopian military would first "need a mandate" or a bilateral agreement since TFG "does not want anyone who can provide propaganda for al-Shabab [... ] We do not want any counterattacks. "
On November 21, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki met in Abu Dhabi with United Arab Emirates President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as part of a state visit. The two leaders affirmed their commitment to stabilize the security situation in southern Somalia and support post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the region.
Following a multinational IGAD conference held in Addis Ababa on November 25, IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim announced that the Ethiopian government has agreed to support TFG Somalia, the Kenyan government and the AU campaign to crush Al-Shabaab rebellion. Maalim did not explain what Ethiopia's real role was, stating that "We leave it to the national security forces to decide." On 25 November, an Ethiopian government official admitted for the first time that Ethiopian troops entered the territory of Somalia for reconstitution tasks. Following the IGAD meeting held on the same day in the Ethiopian capital, government officials, requesting anonymity, indicate that the Ethiopian government will deploy troops in Somalia to help efforts by Somali and Kenyan forces. He added that Ethiopia's current military activities are limited to liaison and reconnaissance jobs, but that "we see short periods of time, weeks, we do not want our deployment to be used for propaganda by extremists".
End of operation
In March 2012, Colonel Cyrus Oguna, head of the KDF Information and Operations sector, pointed out that Operation Linda Nchi is coming to an end, as Kenyan forces will return under the AU's general command. On May 31, 2012, the BBC reported that the Kenyan army, acting as the southern contingent of AMISOM, assisted Somali government forces in capturing Afmadow from Al-Shabaab, a southern town considered crucial in a military campaign because of its road network that grants access to many parts of the country. The Kenyan forces were officially integrated into AMISOM in early June.
Belligerents
Al-Shabaab
The Islamist group Al-Shaabaab is the main target of the operation. Al-Shabaab officially denied involvement in any kidnapping. Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, a spokesman for the group, said that his fighters would attack Kenya unless Kenyan troops were withdrawn. He also claimed that the bombing by Kenyan aircraft had caused damage to infrastructure and civilian casualties. According to Al Jazeera, al-Shabaab has sought to exploit attacks by portraying itself as an army of insurgents fighting foreign invaders and urging locals to take up arms against Kenyan soldiers. According to the Kenyan government, the organization is supported by Eritrea.
Somalia
On October 18, Somalia's President Sharif Ahmed and other TFG officials hosted a Kenyan delegation in Mogadishu where Somali Defense Minister Hussein Arab Isse and Kenya's Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Haji agreed to collaborate against Al-Shabaab. On October 24, Ahmed once again stated that although he welcomed Kenya's logistical support, he opposed the Kenyan military presence, contrary to an agreement made on the 18th. He and Somalia's Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali issued a joint statement on 27 October denying an agreement between TFG and the Kenyan government to allow Kenyan attacks on Somalia, a stance criticized by other TFG officials. The joint commune issued Oct. 31 by the Prime Ministers of Somalia and Kenya on behalf of their respective governments noted "the current operation is being led by the TFG of the Somali Troops with the support of the Kenyan Defense Forces".
Kenya
According to the Associated Press, Kenya is not "actively involved" in the conflict in southern Somalia prior to this operation. According to a correspondent with The Independent, Kenya has previously supported at least two militia in southern Somalia in a proxy war against al-Shabaab but is instead in motion for the immediate presence of Kenyan troops after the strategy fails. The Kenyan military is considered inexperienced and journalists voiced doubts that they have the capacity to perform the necessary logistical operations. The joint commune issued on 31 October by the governments of Kenya and Somalia declared that Kenyan troops fully cooperate with Somali forces in a TFG-led operation.
The African Union initiative called on the Kenyan army to eventually be brought under the command of AMISOM. On 12 November, the Kenyan government released a statement announcing that it had approved the reinstatement of the Kenyan Defense Force under AMISOM. Analysts expect the addition of additional AU troops to help the Somali authorities gradually expand their territorial controls.
In February 2012, the International Crisis Group reported that the Kenyan Defense Force "revealed little about where and how many troops were involved, even before January, apparently less than 2,000", or two battalions. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, two battalions, which cross into Somalia on October 16, 2011, number 2,400 troops. Writing in 2015, academics David Anderson and Jacob McKnight stated that at the peak of the operation "more than 6,000 security personnel deployed, including the Kenyan Police and Public Service Unit, Police Administration (other paramilitary units), and units of Kenya Air Force".
Ethiopia
The possibility of Ethiopian involvement in coordinated operations was formally resurrected in November, following an IGAD initiative calling on all member states to donate troops to fight against al-Shabaab.
The media later reported eyewitness reports alleging that Ethiopian troops had established positions in the southern Somali border region. It marked Ethiopia's first large-scale intervention in the Somali Civil War since January 2009, when it withdrew its forces following an unconvincing attempt to support the TFG by defeating the Islamic Courts Union. The Ethiopian officials will not comment directly on the formation of troops in Guri'el, where previously had established bases during the 2006 intervention, but at least one suggested that Ethiopia could be expected to join the operation.
Following a multinational IGAD conference held on November 25 in Addis Ababa, IGAD announced that the Ethiopian government had agreed to support Allied forces campaign against Al-Shabaab. But Ethiopia's role in the operation was not determined. The Ethiopian government also acknowledged that its troops had entered Somalia for reconnaissance tasks, and indicated that, while its activities were currently limited to relationships and reconstitution jobs, the deployment of troops would be short.
United States
According to the Washington Post , the US Air Force has been distributing surveillance data with the Kenyan military collected through unarmed MQ-9 Reaper aircraft flying out of Arba Minch in southern Ethiopia. Also known as the "hunter drone", aircraft have been used for intelligence activities in Somalia and Yemen and also have the ability to transport missiles and laser-guided bombs.
Eritrea
The UN has consistently accused Eritrea of ​​helping Al-Shabaab. In early November 2011, media reports also claimed that the Eritrean government had sent two aircraft to many militants to Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia. Eritrean Foreign Minister issued a press release that dismissed the accusations as "pure lies and blatant lies", and suggested that the report was part of a "disinformation campaign" with an effect intended to discredit Eritrea.
On 3 November, Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula met with Eritrea's ambassador in Kenya to seek clarification on intelligence allegations that weapons were flown to Al-Shabaab from Eritrea. Wetangula later told the press on Nov. 11 that Kenya would consider "reviewing diplomatic relations" with Eritrea if the Eritrean government did not provide a satisfactory report on the situation.
On November 12, Eritrea's envoy to Nairobi Beyene Russom told the press that his government did not object to Operation Linda Nchi. He blamed allegations that Eritrea supplied weapons to Al-Shabaab due to lack of due diligence on the media. Russom also accused Ethiopia, stating that "We have nothing against Kenya This buildup is a job, as we believe, from Ethiopia to disguise its illegal military occupation of the territory of Eritrea What is said now about the aircraft being flown to Al-Shabaab again we believe is an Ethiopian creation. "With regards to Wetangula's warning that the Kenyan government will cut ties, Russom points out that Asmara believes the Kenyan authorities are acting on false information. Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed is scheduled to arrive in Nairobi to discuss the issue.
On December 5, the United Nations Security Council imposed tougher sanctions on Eritrea for its reported role in providing support to al-Shabaab militants. Observers and members of the allied forces later expressed optimism that the long-running civil conflict in southern Somalia would soon be resolved. Colonel Felix Kulayigye, a spokesman for the Ugandan military contingent AMISOM, pointed out that "Typically, sanctions should reduce the ability of affected countries in their financial muscles, and, if Eritrea faces sanctions, if they are comprehensive enough, will have the dime to spend on a negative element ". Political analyst Sheikh Abdisamad, head of Southlink's research organization, also suggested that "If sanctions are effective in Eritrea, I believe they can easily defeat the militia in Somalia" because sanctions will disrupt flights to Al-Shabaab along "routes Eritrea "between Asmara in Eritrea and Kismayo in southern Somalia. Girma Asmerom, Eritrea's ambassador to the AU, responded that sanctions against his country would have a negative impact on Eritrea's development as well as in the larger East African region. He also indicated that he would not want such restrictions on other countries, describing UN sanctions as "illegal and unjust".
Experts have argued that Eritrea's involvement in the Somali conflict, its reported support for Al-Shabaab and its previous allegations in favor of the Union of Islamic Courts (ICU), is part of a "proxy war" against Ethiopia. According to Emmanuel Kisiangani, senior researcher from the Institute of Security Studies of South Africa, "Eritrea has a distinction with Ethiopia regarding the Badme border region, which the Arbitration Court in The Hague gave to Eritrea, a decision that has not [...] It all boils down to two supporting actors but Ethiopia has played the cards well and what they do is accepted by the international community. "Ambassador Eritrea Girma indicated that the Eritrean government" never thought to shake any country because they are our potential market, they are our assets, we want a strong and decent Ethiopia ". He also dismissed allegations that Eritrea offered aid to Al-Shabaab as "lies and deceit," adding that Eritrea has not supported the group and will never do so.
More
On 21 October, the IGAD regional meets in Addis Ababa and unanimously agrees to support coordinated military operations in southern Somalia. Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegne also indicated that his country could join the military campaign, because "the long-term goal is to eradicate Al Shabaab from Somalia and this is the right time and the process of showing al-Shabaab is coming to an end."
On October 29 at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and South African President Jacob Zuma both pledged support for the mission after Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki told them of a joint operation with the Somali government. Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete pledged support to regional, continental and international agencies with a view to stabilizing the Horn of Africa.
On November 14, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had made an offer to Kenyan Prime Minister Odinga to help the Kenyan government secure the country's borders and detect al-Shabaab's network in the country. Kenya requests vehicles for border patrols, help develop police forces, and marine surveillance equipment.
Military event
On October 17, the media reported that Somalia's TFG forces had taken control of Qoqani city. Kenyan air support is reportedly helpful in combat, with attack helicopters bombarding Al-Shabaab positions. Some reports also suggest US military involvement, although Somali and Kenyan officials allude to Kenya's only participation in the clash. TFG spokesman Abdirahman Omar Osman indicated that Kenyan forces only supplied "logistical and moral support" and that Somali military officers were actually fighting Islamic militants. The number of victims is unknown.
One Z-9 helicopter is reported to have been lost due to mechanical failure while conducting a support operation in the Liboi city. Five Kenyan soldiers were killed in the crash. The operation reportedly involved "truckloads" of soldiers, helicopters, and fighter jets. At least two Kenyan battalions of 800 people each have committed to the campaign.
A car bomb exploded in Mogadishu as Kenyan ministers visited the capital on October 18, leaving at least two people dead and 15 wounded. On October 24, French media reported that Somali troops and Kenyan troops advanced towards the southern city of Afmadow, with the ultimate goal of seizing Kismayo from Islamists. Eyewitnesses reported that Al-Shabaab had confiscated a truck to bring new troops to Afmadow and start building a defense system.
On October 24, a Russian-made F1 grenade was blown up at the Mwauras disco in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The blast wounded 14 people. The local police linked the attack with Al-Shabaab. It was followed by a second attack that night against the bus stop. The second attack killed at least one person and injured eight others. A suspect was arrested and found guilty of both attacks. He said that he was a member of Al-Shabaab. Identified by the media as Elgiva Bwire Oliacha (aka Mohamed Seif), a Kenyan Muslim recently converted, he was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty. The man is reportedly smiling at the camera, stating that he does not hold a remorse, and indicates that he will not appeal his sentence.
According to Somali military officials, air strikes bombed the target in the southern city of Kismayo, a stronghold of Al-Shabaab. Although the origin of jet raids can not be determined, French media speculate that it could belong to the French military. Al-Shabaab said that the attack did not cause casualties.
On October 27, four civilians were killed when their car was attacked by an unidentified assailant near the Kenyan-Somali border in Mandera. However, it is unclear whether Al-Shabaab was behind the attack.
On October 28, a Kenyan military convoy was ambushed by Al-Shabaab militants between the cities of Tabda and Bilis Qoqani in southern Somalia. Helping Somali federal troops, the convoy is positioned 60 kilometers (37 mi) from the border, on the Kismayo route, according to the BBC, the ambush was Kenya's first confrontation with al-Shabaab insurgents and reportedly lasted 30 minutes. A Kenyan military spokesman told the press that the attack left nine Al-Shabaab fighters dead and two Kenyan soldiers wounded. Abdul Asis Abu Muscab, the group's spokesman, also indicated that the attack was the beginning of the fighting and that further attacks would occur.
On October 30, a Kenyan Air Force fighter jet bombed the town of Jilib, killing 10 people and injuring at least 45. Some were reported as civilians. Kenya claimed to have air strikes but blamed Al-Shabaab for the deaths of civilians. Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga says that civilian deaths are regrettable and any incidents will result in an investigation. However, he blamed al-Shabaab for causing civilian casualties by stating that al-Shabaab's technical was equipped with a machine gun, targeted during air strikes, drove to a civilian complex while burning and exploding, causing civilian casualties.
On October 31, TFG forces killed at least ten al Shabaab militants during clashes at Busar and Modaale, villages near the town of Elwak. TFG troops reportedly approached the Burgabo port, 140 kilometers south of Kismayo. On 1 November the Kenyan military announced that they would attack ten Somali cities including Kismayo. On November 2, Al-Shabaab began to mobilize residents to help defend the deep-seated Kismayo while at sea a boat carrying fuel was drowned by the Kenyan navy that killed 18 militants.
On 3 November, Kenyan military spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir warned Kenyan and Somali traders via Twitter not to sell donkeys to Al-Shabaab, because the group is now "forced to use donkeys to transport their weapons." He also warned the public that any "large concentrations and loaded donkeys would be considered al-Shabab activities."
On November 10, Al-Shabaab fighters ambushed a Kenyan convoy between the towns of Tabda and the Qoqani Bills. The fighting that began in the afternoon continued overnight and according to al-Shabaab they managed to kill 30 Kenyan soldiers and destroyed six Kenyan military trucks. The TFG, however, claimed only 21 soldiers had been killed and only three trucks were destroyed, while four others were captured by Al-Shabaab. The Kenyan military spokesman, Major Emmanuel Chirchir, quickly denied the claim, claiming that al-Shabaab had used propaganda campaigns and categorically stated that the reports contained in Iran's press TV were baseless and completely wrong. "The attention of the Ministry of National Defense has been drawn to the flow of propaganda and false information in terms of ongoing operations in Somalia.Featured reporting by Press TV and other like-minded media is unacceptable and should not be taken as factual information and events" said Major Chirchir.
On November 16, TFG and Kenyan forces attacked Al-Shabaab base in Busar. An al Shabaab official alleged that his group had killed 8 people and arrested three allied troops during the fighting. Kenyan military officials denied the claim, saying that joint forces had killed 12 militants but had not caused any casualties. Later that day, Al-Shabaab attacked the position of the Raskamboni movement in the town of Kulbio near Dobley.
On November 19, Colonel Kenya Cyrus Oguna told the press that information and intelligence donated by local residents in southern Somalia had greatly helped the Kenyan forces. He quoted the position of Al-Shabaab as a testimony of this fact, and suggested that more areas would be guaranteed to belong to this information. Voluntary intelligence has also been reported to help soldiers successfully manage changes in tactics by al-Shabaab militants, the latter reportedly disguised as women to flee Somali and Kenyan forces combined.
On Nov. 21, Kenyan military spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir warned that militants are planning to release a video clip that shows captured Kenyan soldiers being arrested executed. He said this was part of a propaganda campaign against the operation. He said the military ties between Kenya and Somalia with local people in the areas where Al-Shabaab has been flushed continue to grow. "Based on this, we receive concrete information from the arms trade and the infiltration of al-Shabaab that has been countered," he said in a statement.
On December 31, 2011, TFG recaptured Beledweyne's control of Al-Shabaab militants. The Somali National Army (SNA) and some 3,000 Ethiopian army troops attack the city in the morning, catching it after hours of fighting. About 20 people were killed in battle, mainly consisting of Ethiopian soldiers and Al-Shabaab rebels.
At least 60 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in an air strike by the Kenyan military on January 7, 2012, according to officials in Kenya, with 50 others injured.
Aftermath
On 28 September 2012, Kenyan troops AMISOM, assisted by troops from the Somali National Army and Ras Kamboni militia, launched an amphibious assault on Kismayo, the last controlled city of Al-Shabaab. Al Shabaab troops withdrew from the city the next day, with AMISOM troops moving on.
In September 2013, Westgate's shooting center in Nairobi was reportedly retaliated for the presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia and following al-Shabaab's warning to attack.
See also
- Drone attack in Somalia
- Terrorism in Kenya
Note
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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