Somalia: Al Shabaab “captured” Kenyan troops

Kenya has not given casualty figures beyond saying both sides sustained casualties. The operation is “delicate” because some Kenyan soldiers have been captured and are being used as human shields, he said.

The captives identified themselves as Isaack Balewa, 50, and Lawrence Kamau, 30, and said they had only been serving in Somalia for two weeks when they were captured.

The victims caskets, draped in Kenyan national flags, were received late Monday at Nairobis Wilson Airport by defense and army officials who witnessed a military honor guard.“This is a very somber moment for the Kenya Defense Forces and I think for the country at large, ” Kenyan Defense Secretary Raychelle Omamo told reporters at the airport.

“We will stand with the Government and if Your Excellency, you need Parliament’s support, we are ready to reconvene and discuss this matter and give the required support”, said Duale.

In the a year ago, the terrorist group has launched multiple guerrilla-style attacks on AMISOM bases to drive out foreign troops and impose its severe version of Islamic law throughout the region.

The incident began at 4 a.m. when a suicide bomber drove a vehicle loaded with explosives into the gate of the militant camp.

“Following Friday’s raid on a Kenyan base in the town of El-Adde, Gedo region, the death toll of the Kenyan crusaders massacred in the base has risen to 100 as confirmed by the Mujahideen’s military department”, the statement said. “We have counted 63 dead bodies inside the base”. In the U.S. military, a company has 100 to 200 soldiers, according to the U.S. Army’s website.

“We will smoke them out of their caves and we will follow to the end in honour of every drop of blood of our Kenyans”, Mwathethe vowed.

The general said he would not release details for security reasons.

“However, we will keep Kenyans updated as events unfold”, he added.

“In light of this unfortunate incident, KDF has increased its military operations against the Al-Shabaab militia in a bid to contain the situation in Elade and its environs”, Obonyo said.