Kenya's military kills over 18 Al-Shabaab militants near Somalia border

© EPA

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] has killed over 18 Al-Shabaab militants following a coordinated operation in Garissa near the border, just days after President William Ruto urged security operatives to remain vigilant along the porous border of Kenya and Somalia.

George Seda, the northeastern regional police commander said the operation was activated by multi-agency security forces coordinated by the Kenya Defense Forces following intelligence reports about the movements of the troops along the border which had been under closure for months.

The exact location of operation took place at Degabon village where the militants have been hiding for several weeks. Reports indicate intelligence has been trailing the militants for several months after locals made complaints to the local administration teams.

"The multi-agency team also recovered weapons including rocket-propelled grenades [RPG], AK-47 rifles, and improvised explosive device materials," Seda said in a security report, which was shared with members of the media and security teams.

Seda lauded locals for sharing intelligence about the presence of the militants, noting that the fight against Al-Shabaab is collective. " We must be vigilant and locals have confirmed as such through their tips. We are grateful for such commitment," he noted.

Other officials said multi-agency teams are on the ground pursuing more targets hiding in the area and expansive Boni Forest which the militants have been using as their hideout place. The Al-Shabaab has been on the run from neighboring Somalia where security operations are active.

For the last seven months, Somalia has been pursuing the militants with the help of foreign troops key among them the US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and the local militia. A number of militants have been crossing over to Kenya, thus the security alerts.

Kenya has been able to contain Al-Shabaab for the longest periods since the militants launched a devastating attack on the Dusit D2 Hotel complex in 2019 at the capital Nairobi. However, the militants have been carrying sporadic retaliatory attacks in Garissa, Mandera, and Wajir counties.

GAROWE ONLINE