Al-Shabaab Releases Video of purported Kenyan Soldier Captured in 2016 El-Adde Raid

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Al-Shabaab group in Somalia released a video of a purported Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) serviceman, who was allegedly captured during the El-Adde raid which left dozens of soldiers dead and hundreds of others critically injured.

In their propaganda video, the purported soldier; Abdullahi Isse Ibrahim, is seen in military fatigue, similar to those worn by the Kenya Army of KDF, but the rank cannot be seen. His name is not written on the military fatigue, as is the custom of the KDF for any officer, serviceman, or woman.

The soldier (whose identity cannot be verified), is heard making a passionate appeal to the government of Kenya to initiate his release, arguing that the eight years he has been in captivity have been tormenting, adding that the release was long overdue.

"I was born in Wajir County in 1963 and joined KDF in 1986," Abdullahi is heard narrating his ordeal. "I served in the 9th Battalion (Eldoret-based) and came to Somalia in 2016, just 15 days before we were taken in captivity by the Al-Shabaab. "

While confirming he is a war prisoner, he adds: "There has never been a communication from the Kenyan government over our fate. I have not seen my wife and family for all this long and we live at the mercy of our tormentors — Al-Shabaab."

Although he never mentioned the number of people captured during the deadly attack, he accurately narrates the events leading to the pre-dawn attack on 15th January 2016, targeting a KDF Forward Operating Base in El-Adde within the Gedo region of Somalia.

The militants ran riot in the camp, killing over 200 soldiers while injuring others. Only a few survivors were rescued as Al-Shabaab captured others alive and their whereabouts remain a mystery. KDF and the Kenyan government have never given an accurate report on what might have transpired.

While it is possible to give his army fatigue a benefit of the doubt — eight years is such a lengthy time to stay in one uniform, it is also possible that Al-Shabaab produced a propaganda video to slow down operations within Jubaland, where the KDF is active.

The El-Adde attack was the worst-ever defeat to KDF soldiers serving in peacekeeping missions, with the Kulbiyow raid a year later within Somalia, also claiming 70 soldiers. Since then, KDF has liberated several strategic towns in Somalia besides neutralizing many militants in the process both in Jubaland and within the border.

GAROWE ONLINE