Kenyan troops targeted with IEDs by Al-Shabaab in Somalia

KISMAYO, Somalia - The Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] troops serving in Somalia were on Saturday targeted by the Al-Shabaab militants, in the latest attack that further showcases the fragile situation in the Horn of Africa nation, which has struggled with stability for several years.

According to reports, two KDF vehicles were targeted by Al-Shabaab, who used Improvised Explosive Devices [IEDs], in the latest attack, which comes at the time the country is planning to hold elections before the exit of the US Africa Command team which has been critical in peacekeeping.

The attack, reports indicate, occurred at Dhobley-Taabto area of Lower Jubba, where the KDF team has several Forward Operating Bases, which act as their stations in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The KDF team is in charge of Sector II and VI of AMISOM, mainly within the Jubaland state.

So far, the number of casualties remains sketchy but the two vehicles were badly damaged. Almost degraded in the region, Al-Shabaab often carries out small to large scale sporadic attacks mainly targeting the security forces, innocent civilians, and government officials.

Throughout last year, the militants tried to wage attacks against the KDF team in Somalia but most of the raids were thwarted thanks to the vigilance of the team. Also targeted were officers from the Jubaland security forces, who are major partners of the Kenya Defense Forces.

Next week, Kenya Defense Forces will be commemorating the fifth anniversary of the El-Adde military raid which happened not far from Saturday's incident. The attack, which remains the worst in KDF history, leftover 150 soldiers dead according to official reports in Nairobi.

But to date, the government of Kenya and the Kenya Defense Forces are yet to release official reports on what may have transpired during the fateful day. A year later in 2017, the KDF team would also lose close to 70 soldiers in Kulbiyow, also in the Lower Jubba region of Somalia under similar circumstances.

Kenya is a major security partner of the Federal Government of Somalia but the two nations have often been embroiled in diplomatic spat especially in the past two years. There are close to over 3,500 soldiers from KDF serving in Somalia and they are expected to leave in the coming months.

GAROWE ONLINE