Kenya Defence Forces Kill Five Al-Shabaab Fighters in Boni Forest Operation

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) killed five Al-Shabaab fighters in the coastal region, following an operation activated by the special forces who are working alongside a multi-agency security team working to topple the group.

The special forces conducted the event at Boni Forest, where the Operation Amani Boni has been ongoing for the last several years. The dense Boni Forest covers vast lands within Kenya and the neighboring Somalia, where the militants are dominant.

According to the KDF, the operation was launched at Lacta Mangai, where recovery of weapons and supplies was done, including AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers with warheads, ammunition, solar panels, tents, and materials used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs), according to a KDF statement.

Several other militants escaped with injuries, KDF said in a statement. The Operation Amani Boni is geared towards eliminating the militants in the coastal strip, within Lamu County, which is prone to militant attacks.

“The operation remains committed to restoring lasting peace and security in the Boni region, ensuring that families can live without fear,” KDF said.

Kenya has suffered repeated al-Shabaab attacks in recent years. The al Qaeda-linked group is fighting to topple Somalia’s government and impose its version of Islamic law.

Al-Shabaab militants have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia and have often extended their attacks to Kenya, killing hundreds of people in the process.

Kenya has intensified operations against Al-Shabaab in northeastern Kenya, leading to the construction of several Forward Operating Bases with KDF also helping the Somali National Army to carry out operations within the Horn of Africa nation.

GAROWE ONLINE