Sunday September 17, 2023
The three rifles recovered in operation in Lamu on September 17, 2023
Image: HANDOUT
Two militants of the al Shabaab terror group were Saturday killed in a shooting by military troops in Bodhei area, Lamu County.
The security team said they recovered three AK47 rifles, more than 300 bullets, RPG launchers and warheads.
The personnel said they had been informed the gang was hiding in two sites within the larger Boni Forest prompting an operation on two hideouts.
Officials believe the gang was planning an attack in the area.
Multi-agency teams are involved in major operations in areas near the Kenya-Somalia border amid sporadic attacks.
The attacks have left dozens of people dead including security agents. Others are nursing wounds.
Officials say they have thwarted dozens of planned attacks by the terrorists killing some of them and recovering materials.
On Saturday, the Kenya Defence Forces personnel said some of the terrorists escaped with serious injuries. The operation is ongoing.
A leading commander of the Kenya Army had Thursday visited the troops stationed at Baure Forward Operating Base in Lamu County as part of morale boosting.
This follows last Sunday’s Improvised Explosive Device attack on a military vehicle that claimed the lives of unknown number of soldiers.
This is the latest such incident affecting security agencies amid push on the militants operating in the border region.
A major operation is ongoing in the area to address al-Shabaab-related attacks, which happen because of others, the proximity to the main Kenya-Somalia border.
The area near the border with Somalia has suffered a series of terrorist attacks.
The terrorists have been attacking places near the Kenyan border by using guns and explosives leaving dozens dead and many injured.
The recent attacks have forced the government to suspend plans to reopen the Kenya-Somalia border.
On Thursday, Commander 8 Brigade, Brig David Chesire together with Operation Amani Boni (OAB) Commander Colonel Joel Tanui, visited KDF troops stationed at Baure Forward Operating Base in Lamu County.
The visit sought to assess the operational preparedness, welfare and morale of the troops.
The troops are actively engaged in countering and degrading al Shabaab terror group activities within the vast Boni Forest.
The presence of the FOB and KDF soldiers in the area has enabled the peace-loving locals to embark on their day-to-day activities, assured that activities by lurking members of the militant group will be deterred.
Most of the locals disapprove of the al Shabaab remnants who disrupt their livelihoods.
Brig Chesire expressed his gratitude for their unwavering commitment and sacrifices to serve the nation, in line with KDF's mandate of protecting and defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the republic.
He told the troops to continue embracing the multi-agency approach by working in collaboration with other security agencies deployed in the region and the local communities in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
OAB has continued to strengthen security within coastal areas of Lamu, Tana River, Garissa, and Kilifi counties and has significantly enhanced the livelihood of residents as well as suppressing al Shabaab activities.
The area is near the Kenya- Somalia border. Somalia has not had a stable government after the fall of Siad Barre in 1991.
Kenyan troops are in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to help in fighting the al-Shabaab terror group. KDF went to Somalia in October 2011.