Friday, November 08, 2013
The Kenyan Army’s spokesman has cautioned residents of
Southern Somalia to be on high alert for an impending attack on the
region.
Major Emmanuel Chirchir is reported to have disclosed,
via social media, that civilians should stay away from Al Shabab camps
and roadblocks in Gedo, Mid Juba and Lower Juba as a “round of
visitations” were expected.
In the past few weeks Al Shabab have come under
sustained attacks. Following a foiled U.S Navy SEAL attack on a compound
in Barawe and a missile strike on an Al Shabab commander in October,
the Kenyan Army has conducted at least two operations targeting the
terrorist group. Most notably, the airstrike on a rebel camp in Southern
Somalia thought to have been the training ground of the Westgate
gunmen.
A Kenyan military official is reported to have announced, after that operation on October 31st, that similar operations will be carried out in the near future.
Despite the efforts of the African Union’s Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM), Al Shabab still control many rural communities in
central and southern Somalia. Experts say communities that are unable to
put up a fight against the militants are subdued and become a source of
food and other supplies for the group.
AMISOM commanders have requested an additional 5,000
troops are deployed to increase their ability to combat the terrorist
group.