NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 20 – Heavy rains have hampered the advancement of Kenyan forces in Somalia, according to a statement released by Military Spokesperson Major Emmanuel Chirchir on Thursday.
Since Wednesday, troops he says have been at Beles Qooqani in central Somalia, having already secured the areas of Dhobley and Tabda, previously under Al Shabaab hold.
Kenyan defence forces, who secured a foot hold in Ras Kiamboni on Thursday, are awaiting the arrival of TFG allied troops, Somali National Army and the Ras Chiamboni brigade at Afmadow town.
“This avenue provides the Defence Forces with a vantage to clear Al Shabaab and pirates on the Somali waters from Ras Kiamboni to Kismayu. The Kenya Navy is enforcing border integrity by ensuring pirates don’t enjoy freedom of movement along the Kenya-Somali waters,” Major Chirchir
Maj Chirchir added that there has been no encounter with the terror group since Monday and Tuesday when they gunned down 73 Al Shabaab militants in the towns of Qooqani and Dhobley.
Meanwhile, a Kenya Navy speed boat on patrol duty was hit by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launched by pirates ashore at Ras Kiamboni in Somalia, on Monday.
However, the three Kenya Defence Forces personnel aboard the boat suffered minor injuries and are back to duty, Maj Chirchir assured.
“We take this early opportunity to correct the impression and use of the word War in reference to operation Linda Nchi across the mass media. We wish to clarify that this is purely an operation in pursuit of the Al Shabaab militia and defeat piracy along the Kenya- Somali waters,” Maj Chirchir explained.
However, Major Chirchir expressed confidence in the efforts of Kenyan troops, saying they are well equipped and will continue fighting off the armed groups which have been blamed for recent kidnappings involving four European women, and a Frenchwoman who died while in captivity yesterday.
Operation Linda Nchi has entered its fifth day, since Kenyan forces were deployed into Somalia.
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