. Africa News .




.
AFRICA NEWS
Kenyan, Ugandan troops battle al-Shabaab
by Staff Writers
Kampala, Uganda (UPI) Aug 20, 2012

disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

The African Union Mission in Somalia's battle against Somali al-Shabaab militants continues.

Uganda is contributing 6,500 soldiers to AMISOM, followed by Kenya, with 5,000 troops.

On Aug. 12, three of four Ugandan Mi-24 combat gunship helicoptersflying to the AMISOM in Somalia crashed on Mount Kenya.

Nevertheless, Uganda is willing to send another set of combat helicopters to fight al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, Radio RBC Uganda reported.

Highlighting the regional threat, three suspected al-Shaabab members were killed in Kenya's Lamu East district last Wednesday.

The Somali insurgents were members of a group of seven heavily armed al-Shaabab militants who infiltrated into Kenya across the Somali border.

Coast Police Constable Samuel Kilele said three Russian-made AK-47 assault rifles and 60 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspects' bodies. He also said Kenyan security forces were able to track the infiltrators.

"We gunned them down and recovered the arms," Kilele said. "It is a commendable job."

Kilele added that four of the militants escaped after being wounded and that police were searching the area to arrest them. Kenyan authorities said the men were planning to carry out major attacks in Kenya and that their elimination is a major breakthrough in the war on terror.

Kilele said a joint security team of elements from the Kenya Defense Forces, Kenya's General Service Unit and police forces has been established to counter the al-Shabaab threat on the Kenyan-Somali border, particularly in Lamu.

"We are appealing to locals with any information to share the same with the security apparatus," he said.

Kenyan forces are also operating inside Somali proper. Kenyan troops crossed into Somalia in October to begin hunt down al-Shabaab militants, who are blamed for a series of security incidents in Kenya's northeastern and coastal provinces.

On Thursday a Kenyan military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "There was an attack in Somalia at a place called Fafadun. Seventy-three al-Shabaab (militants) were killed and there are two KDF casualties."

Three other Kenyan soldiers were wounded.

Another source with knowledge of the operation stated, "It was a very violent confrontation because the al-Shabaab militants were heavily armed and ready for war. Forty AK-47 rifles were seized from the slain militants."

AMISOM forces are reportedly preparing for a major imminent assault on Kismayu, a major al-Shabaab stronghold. The assault on Kismayu to drive al-Shabaab militants from the port is intended not only to weaken them militarily but economically as well, as Kismayu port serves as al-Shabaab's main source of revenue.

The projected military operation has humanitarian organizations operating in Somalia concerned.

Fighting for control of the town appears imminent. I am deeply concerned by recent reports of civilian casualties in Kismayu caused by naval gunfire and airstrikes," U.N. humanitarian aid official Mark Bowden stated.

"I reiterate my call for all parties to the conflict to make every effort to minimize the impact of conflict on civilians and to allow full humanitarian access to all people in need."

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food




.
.
Get Our Free Newsletters Via Email
...
Buy Advertising Editorial Enquiries






.

. Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle



AFRICA NEWS
South Africa's lion bones: Asia's new delicacy
Potchefstroom, South Africa (AFP) Aug 16, 2012
Lion bones have become a hot commodity for their use in Asian traditional medicine, driving up exports from South Africa to the East and creating new fears of the survival of the species. Conservationists are already angry over lion trophy hunting. The skeletons are mostly shipped to Vietnam and Laos, feeding conservationists' fears that the market will drive up lion poaching - just as ... read more


AFRICA NEWS
Electrifying success in raising antioxidant levels in sweet potatoes

US corn, soy prices hit records as drought lingers

Scores of mastic orchards ravaged by Greek wildfire

China sees red over Europe wine imports

AFRICA NEWS
Dinosaur bends caused by prolonged diving

Researchers reveal behaviors of the tiniest water droplets

Improving water quality can help save coral reefs

Ohioans Love Their Lakes, But Are Concerned For Their Future

AFRICA NEWS
Climate vs. weather: Extreme events narrow the doubts

Tornado numbers lower because of drought

Climate and Drought Lessons from Ancient Egypt

UN agency calls for global action plan on drought

AFRICA NEWS
Northrop Grumman Receives Highest Assurance for Accuracy of Its Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

US carbon emissions in surprise drop

Rio+20: A Move Towards More Sustainable Transportation

Renewable Energy Ambitions, Independence and Donald Trump - An Interview with Alex Salmond Part A

AFRICA NEWS
Warning issued for modified algae

Argentina unhappy over EU biofuels curbs

Genetically Engineered Algae For Biofuel Pose Potential Risks That Should Be Studied

New biorefinery finds treasure in Starbucks' spent coffee grounds and stale bakery goods

AFRICA NEWS
Record radiation in fish off Japan nuclear plant

Raytheon mobile app allows first responders to use PCs, tablets and smartphones as "virtual radios"

US allows NGOs to send quake relief funds to Iran

Landslide fatalities are greater than previously thought

AFRICA NEWS
Earthworms soak up heavy metal

Italians protest against pollution from steelworks

Vietnam, US begin historic Agent Orange cleanup

Worldwide increase of air pollution

AFRICA NEWS
Asia eyes Brazil's growing consumer market

Record eurozone trade surplus, analysts divided on outlook

Foreign investment in China declines in July

Oracle fined $2 mn for off-books payments in India


Memory Foam Mattress Review

Newsletters :: SpaceDaily Express :: SpaceWar Express :: TerraDaily Express :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News

.

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2012 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement