Separate Al-Shabaab attacks leave KDF soldiers dead in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants waged two deadly attacks in Kenya for the first time in as many months, police said, with the raids targeting coastal parts and the insecure Northern Frontier Districts [NFD], where the militants have often reigned terror on security forces.

The attacks left at least 12 people dead including six soldiers, an incident which comes at the time the Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] is building 14 Forward Operating Bases [FOBs] along the border, which will host retreating troops serving in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS].

The attackers used improvised explosive devices [IED] to target security agencies as they moved on roads, also leaving dozens wounded, police said in a statement. The first incident targeted a passenger bus in Mandera, with the militants waving down the driver in vain, an heroic move which saved 50 people.

In the eastern county of Garissa, the police said the terror group targeted Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] troops with an explosive device, killing four of them after the vehicle ran over an IED. The KDF is yet to comment on the incident but has previously insisted on commitment to wipe out Al-Shabaab.

The personnel were also attacked by guns, said the police officer, who declined to be identified. A team of National Police Reserve [NPR] that responded was met with resistance, leaving six of the NPR dead.

At the coastal county of Lamu, another IED targeted a KDF vehicle, killing two soldiers on the spot, police said. All the three attacks almost took place simultaneously, a clear indication that they were coordinated by the militants, who have for a long time targeted Kenya.

The militants are facing a serious onslaught in Somalia, following activation of operations by the Somali National Army [SNA] with the help of the US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia and local militia. The first phase of operations left at least 3000 militants dead.

Kenya has heightened surveillance along the border after a US airstrike injured Moalim Osman, who is the head of Al-Shabaab's external operations. Moalim is accused of organizing attacks in foreign countries and in some instances, foreign military within the country.

The impending drawdown is in compliance with Somali Transition Plan [STP] which will see the 22,000 peacekeeping mission troops. Somalia has emphasized that it is ready for intended exit of the soldiers, but has frequently asked for reinforcement from neighboring countries.

GAROWE ONLINE