By Cyrus Ombati

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said yesterday it had killed 51 Al Shabaab militants inside Somalia on a day two senior commanders of the Islamist group were reported to have been killed in a US drone strike in the war torn country.

KDF Spokesman David Obonyo said the militants were killed yesterday in Somalia in a bombardment in Jungal, about 40km from Bardere.

“Fifty one Al Shabaab militants were killed including several middle-level commanders who have been responsible for attacks in Mandera area, 11 technical vehicles were also destroyed following the offensive,” said Col Obonyo.

He said an unspecified number of injured militants escaped to Bardere.

Jungal is one of the main militants’ planning and operations bases in Gedo region, which has seen an increase in militia activities recently.

Obonyo said the entry of KDF into Gedo is part of efforts to prevent infiltration of the militants into Kenya through the common border.

The bombardment on the terror group came a day after they attacked and killed a KDF soldier and injured another. Kenyan troops killed seven Al Shabaab terrorists in battle in Lagolie in Somalia.

Obonyo said Al-Shabaab fighters ambushed the soldiers after a vehicle they were travelling in hit a home-made bomb planted in the road in the township near Elade in Gedo region.

“The soldiers pursued the terrorists and in the ensuing fire fight seven Al Shabaab terrorists were killed, eight AK-47 rifles, two grenades and assorted ammunition were seized. The injured soldier is receiving the necessary medical attention,” said Obonyo.

He said Al Shabaab activities have heightened in the past week following “sustained pressure from troops operating under Amisom.

The two Al Shabaab commanders were killed in a drone strike in south-west Somalia at about 2am in Bardere town. Residents told the BBC that several loud blasts were heard in the town at dawn. The commanders believed to have been killed are Ismael Jamhad and Jama Dere, a Somali military officer traveling with the African Union troops in the area told the BBC.

There had been speculation yesterday that among those killed was Gamadhere Kuno, who is wanted over the April 2, 2015 Garissa University College massacre in which more than 150 people, mostly students, were killed. Kuno, one of the most wanted in terrorists in Kenya and Somalia, has a Sh20 million bounty on his head.

The residents said after the blasts, armed Al Shabaab fighters rushed to the scene in Bardere, near the Juba River about 460km west of Mogadishu.

Interior ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka said they are waiting for confirmation on the identities of those killed, but hinted the two men could be among the dead.

“Four key terror leaders, among them Ismail Jabhadi and Jama Dere, on Kenya most wanted list killed in a drone attack last night,” he said.

Source: Standard Digital