Kenya sends troops to attack al-Shabab

Al-Shabab fighters

Kenya sends troops to attack al-Shabab

Kenyan troops who crossed into Somalia have driven out al-Shabab fighters from two bases near the border in a joint operation with Somali soldiers.

Kenya says the fighters behind the recent kidnappings of foreigners in the country will be hunted for.

According to a Somali military commander, Abdi Yusuf, fighter jets struck two al-Shabab bases in southern Somalia, but he could not confirm if the aircraft belonged to Kenya.

He was quoted as saying "there have been air strikes in ... al-Shabab bases near Afmadow late yesterday (Sunday) and today (Monday). We are heading towards Afmadow now. Al-Shabab have already vacated the town."

The Kenyan government spokesman, Alfred Mutua, said that its troops had entered southern Somalia to fight the al-Shabab, who it says are responsible for attacks on its territory.

Al-Shabab response

Consequently, al-Shabab called on Somalis to rally and attack the Kenyan troops.
A senior al-Shabab leader, Sheikh Hassan Turki, said "Kenya violated the territorial rights of Somalia by entering our holy land, but I assure you that they will return disappointed, God willing."

"Mujahideen fighters will force them to test the pain of the bullets", he added.

Turki also called on Somalis to stand united against "this blood-thirsty enemy that has crossed into our territories and the apostate Somali militants helping them."

Eye witnesses said heavy troop movement in Kenya's border regions, with lorries full of soldiers were heading towards the frontier.

The assault came a day after George Saitoti, Kenya's interior security minister, branded al-Shabab "the enemy" and pledged to attack them "wherever they will be."

Al-Shabab is an Islamic group that aims to overthrow Somalia's transitional government and impose sharia rule.

Aljazeera/ Adekusibe/Ekata