Sunday, January 08, 2012
About 700 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed since the launch of Operation Linda Nchi.Kenya Defence Forces spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna said many
others have been injured in the operation which started three months
ago.
Col Oguna said only four civilians had been killed
in the operation after an Al-Shabaab vehicle exploded as militants fled
into an IDP camp to seek refuge.
Speaking at the twelfth media briefing at Teleposta
Towers in Nairobi, Col Oguna said the latest killing was in Garbaharey
in the Northern Sector where more than 60 militants died on Friday at
around 3 pm after KDF jets pounded the area with bombs.
He said 50 others were injured while carrying out
training to launch an offensive against KDF while nine technical
vehicles were destroyed in the air strikes. The Sunday Nation could not
independently verify the figures.
Col Oguna said KDF had to recall the aircraft on learning that the militants were using IDPs as shields.
“We do thorough research before we carry out air
bombings. The militants have been setting up their bases near IDP camps
for safety and also to get food,” he said.
Col Oguna said some of the militants camouflaged themselves as civilians.
“We try as much as possible to avoid collateral damage, and
whenever they mingle with civilian populations, we hold back our fire,”
Col Oguna said.
He said the threat before the Christmas and New
Year’s holidays was real and that three militants were killed by police
in Kiunga while trying to enter the country. Three others were arrested.
“On December 30, the militants abandoned a ship in Kiunga after learning that they were being pursued.
“We would like to thank Somalis and Kenyans who gave us crucial information during the period,” Col Oguna said.
The officer said about 30 militants had surrendered since the operation began.
“The defectors, including a captain, are offering
us vital information and we are seeing this operation coming to a
conclusion very soon,” Col Oguna, who was accompanied by police
spokesman Eric Kiraithe, said.
He said the operation was three-quarters done and called on Somalis to volunteer more information on the remnants.
Col Oguna also said KDF had lost 11 fighters, including the five who
died in an helicopter mishap in the early days of the operation.
The Army officer said KDF had advanced towards Afmadow and Kismayu which
will fall soon because they are within a striking distance.