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Friday, August 31, 2012

Kenyan airstrikes kill 36 in Somalia

Kenyan war planes have attacked a base, run by Somalia’s al-Shabab fighters near the town of Afmadow, killing at least 25 militants and 11 civilians, Press TV reports.

According to a statement released by Somali military officer, Hussein Haj Dable, three Kenyan fighter jets have attacked camps of al-Shabab militants in Tortora village, located five kilometers southeast of Afmadow, on Thursday afternoon, killing 25 militants. 

At least 11 civilians, including children and women have also lost their lives by missiles fired by Kenyan warplanes, Haj Dable added. 

The Kenyan forces, currently under the command of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), are dealing with specific al-Shabab targets, but security has also been stepped up on the Kenyan side of the border.

Kenya regularly carries out airstrikes in the Somali border regions. 

Somalia has not had an effective central government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. 

The weak Western-backed transitional government in Mogadishu has been battling al-Shabab for the past five years and is propped up by a thousands strong African Union force from Uganda, Burundi, and Djibouti. 

AMF/MAM/JR