Somalia: Al-Shabaab seizes key base near Kenya's border

MOGADISHU - Somalia-based Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants have reportedly seized a base that was recently handed over by the Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] to the Somali National Army [SNA], in what could slow down the ongoing strategic withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops.

In a statement, the group, through its media team al-kataib, claimed that Gherille Forward Operating Base [FOB] was officially retaken from SNA troops who were manning it after intensive fighting. The claims could, however, not be verified independently despite the group providing photos to justify its claims.

The gunfight, Al-Shabaab claimed, left at least three people dead, as the militants ran over the base which could be strategic to their cowardly attacks within Jubaland. Gherille Forward Operating Base was under the KDF team which handed it over about three weeks ago.

Security analysts insist that the takeover could trigger more Al-Shabaab attacks on Kenyan soil given that the base is located about 12 kilometers from the Kenya-Somalia border. In recent weeks, Kenya has been witnessing increased Al-Shabaab activities, especially in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa.

But last week, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki announced a delay in the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border, citing Al-Shabaab attacks on Kenyan soil. Initially, both Kenya and Somalia had agreed to open the border in three phases, targeting Mandera-Bula Hawo, Liboi-Dhoblely, and Kiunga-Ras Kamboni border points.

ATMIS effected gradual withdrawal from Somalia in compliance with Somali Transition Plan [STP] which saw at least 2,000 soldiers leave. By September, ATMIS noted, 3,000 more soldiers will leave the country, as the peacekeepers push to completely withdraw by December 2024.

KDF has established 14 Forward Operating Bases along the Kenya-Somalia border due to ongoing withdrawal from Somalia, with the soldiers expected to be stationed along the border. Chief of Defense Forces Gen Francis Ogolla visited troops serving in ATMIS and along the border for morale boosting.

Recently, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convinced his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto to deploy non-ATMIS troops to Somalia ahead of the impending second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab. Also to dispatch more troops who will serve for three months are Ethiopia and Djibouti.

GAROWE ONLINE