Kenyan military kills four Al-Shabaab militants in Boni Forest

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] killed at least four Al-Shabaab militants on Saturday in the porous Boni Forest, which has been operating as temporary shelter for the Al-Qaida linked group, which often attacks various places in Kenya.

Al-Shabaab had increased its presence in Kenya particularly in Lamu, Garissa, Mandera, and Wajir counties which border Somalia. There is a heavy presence of KDF soldiers and those from the US Africa Command in the said counties.

In a statement, the KDF Communication office said the militants were trying to cross over from Somalia when the incident occurred leading to a heavy exchange of gunfire in Sarira just within the vicinity of Boni Forest.

During the encounter, the statement confirmed, several militants escaped with serious injuries to neighboring Somalia. The KDF team did not suffer any notable injuries, the statement noted.

"The Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] engaged and killed four Al-Shabaab militants in Sarira, Boni Forest in Lamu County. The militants were trying to cross over to Kenya through a common border. Others escaped with serious injuries to Somalia," reads the statement.

"No injuries were recorded on the Kenyan side during the encounter. The KDF troops have intensified operations in Boni and will continue to protect the local residents and get rid of Al-Shabaab," KDF added.

Currently, there are close to 3500 Kenyan troops serving under the African Union Mission Forces [AMISOM] in Somalia and are set to continue serving under reconfigured force. The AMISOM team has been instrumental in pushing for peace in the country.

GAROWE ONLINE