Kenyan military says 31 al-Shabaab militants killed

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenyan forces killed 31 al-Shabaab terrorists in artillery and air strikes in southern Somalia on Monday, the military said.

Col. Joseph Owuoth, a spokesman for the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), said heavy artillery fire targeted two al-Shabaab bases in Badhadhe, Somalia’s southernmost district that lies on the Kenyan border.

Backed by ground troops and helicopter gunships, the attack destroyed the command and logistics bases as well as two armed pickup trucks.

An unknown number of militants were injured, Owuoth said in a statement, adding that there were no Kenyan casualties.

“KDF soldiers operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia successfully conducted a raid and destruction on two al-Shabaab command and logistics bases in Badhadhe district in Jubaland, Somalia,” Owuoth said.

Eleven assault rifles, two machine guns, four improvised explosive devices, ammunition and communications equipment were among the items captured from the bases by Kenyan troops.

Al-Shabaab fighters have killed hundreds of Kenyans in recent years and have vowed to continue until Kenyan troops are withdrawn from Somalia.

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenyan forces killed 31 al-Shabaab terrorists in artillery and air strikes in southern Somalia on Monday, the military said.

Backed by ground troops and helicopter gunships, the attack destroyed the command and logistics bases as well as two armed pickup trucks.

An unknown number of militants were injured, Owuoth said in a statement, adding that there were no Kenyan casualties.

Eleven assault rifles, two machine guns, four improvised explosive devices, ammunition and communications equipment were among the items captured from the bases by Kenyan troops.

Al-Shabaab fighters have killed hundreds of Kenyans in recent years and have vowed to continue until Kenyan troops are withdrawn from Somalia.