Kenyan forces kill 24 Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia (See)

Twenty Four Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in an offensive by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Somalia, military spokesman, Col. David Obonyo, said Thursday.

Obonyo said the terrorists were confronted when the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISON) forces captured Bardere Bridge where they recovered 25 AK-47 rifles.

“AMISOM forces together with Somalia National Army (SNA) have captured the strategic Bardhere Bridge.

“The capture of the bridge was a culmination of AMISOM operation ‘Juba Corridor’ which started on 14 July 2015.

“The operation commenced from Fafadun and involved the liberation of a series of towns from Tarako, Jungal – bombarded by artillery a week ago and Tawakal,” he said.

He said that four Somali soldiers were killed during the attack that occurred early Wednesday that also left two Kenyan soldiers wounded.

“In the morning engagement at Tawakal before capturing the bridge, 24 Al Shabaab terrorists were killed, four others were injured and one technical vehicle was destroyed.
“The AMISOM/SNA forces seized 25 AK-47 rifles, one PKM machine gun and assorted rounds of ammunition,” he said.

He said the Bardhere Bridge was the main gateway into Gedo, adding that the Al Shabaab militia had predominantly used the bridge to move their fighters, weapons, ammunition and contraband goods into Gedo.

“’The loss of the bridge is, therefore, a major operational milestone in the fight against Al Shabaab and plays an integral part in shaping up operations for the ultimate capture of Bardhere town,” he said.

AMISOM forces have intensified offensive against Al Shabaab militants as they strive to secure Kenya and the region ahead of Friday’s arrival of US President Barack Obama