MOGADISHU, Oct 17 – Somalia’s Al Qaeda-linked Islamist rebels on Monday vowed reprisals inside Kenya after Kenyan troops pushed into the south of the country following a spate of kidnappings of foreigners.
“The Kenyan forces have crossed about 100 kilometres deep into Somalia and in some cases their military aircraft have bombed inside Somalia. If they continue this way, they will regret and feel the consequences back home,” Al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage told reporters at a press conference.
Rage also called on Kenyan citizens to protest the move by their government.
“Kenya has peace, its cities have tall buildings and business is booming there, while Somalia is in chaos. If your government ignores our calls to stop its aggression on Somali soil, we will strike at the heart of your interests,” he said.
Backed by aerial bombings and guided by pro-government Somali forces, Kenyan troops moved deeper into southern Somalia on Monday, a day after Nairobi declared war on the Al Shabaab and confirmed that it had sent its army across the border.
Kenyan soldiers were reported near the village of Qoqani, some 50 miles inside southern Somalia, an Al Shabaab stronghold.
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