Kenyan Defence Forces Attack Somalia's Al Shabaab

Kenya is a relatively peaceful country except for some internal conflicts like the Post Election Violence that took place during the 2007 general elections.

But of late Kenya military forces have been deployed in war-torn Somalia to hunt down Al Shabaab insurgents, in a mission dubbed ‘operation Linda nchi’ (operation protect the country).

Kenya has in the past restrained itself from attacking Somalia despite continued provocation.

But now it seems to have been pushed to the edge of the cliff by the Al Shabaab militia, forcing it to react in an unprecedented way to protect its territory and citizens.

The military incursion actually happened after some provocations like the kidnapping of foreign tourists from Kenya’s port city Lamu. Also the kidnapping of aid workers at Dadaab refugee camp, one of the largest refugee camps in the world.

The Kenyan defence forces intend to capture all towns being occupied by Al Shabaab and see to it that the militia is crushed.

The forces are working hand in hand with the Somalia government and Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

Somalia has gone through hell with many years of civil war that has seen millions killed, maimed and others displaced.

There are more than half a million refugees in Kenya camping at Dadaab. These are the remnants of continued internal conflicts thanks to the lack of a central government since the outbreak of the Somali civil war in 1991.

Many people are asking themselves, will there be peace in Somalia even after driving out the self-seeking Al Shabaab insurgents?

Will there be a stable government in Somalia? Will the more than half a million refugees camping in Kenya be able to go back home and start their normal life?

We don’t have to despair, we should be hopeful and optimistic that very soon; peace and tranquillity will be restored in Somalia. Most of the African leaders have failed this great content by their greedy and corrupt acts.

In the past, there have been too many wars, too many conflicts, and the aftermath is always death and destruction.

It will do us good as leaders or even subjects to support peace initiatives in Somalia and also the rest of the world where there are conflicts and human suffering.

In Africa, there have been many conflicts, like in Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, and many other countries.

Good leadership can stop these conflicts. Sadly, this is what we are lacking in Africa.

The African people should wake up and start vetting their leaders, doing away with inciters and warlike leaders, throwing the corrupt ones in jail to rot there.

The Africans should also take the responsibility of solving the problems they create rather than depending on the western powers for solutions.

All in all, let us pray that there will be peace in Somalia; that the fighters will drop their weapons and start building their own nation.

The millions who are suffering there need your prayers today and any other help you may offer.

Now, as a result of this offensive, the Al Shabaab militia has been attacking the peace-loving Kenyan citizens with grenades in the city and parts of Garissa.

The latest attack is where four grenades were thrown from a moving vehicle into the busy Machakos Country Bus Station also known as Machakos Airport.

Six people were killed and fifty-three others left nursing injuries. Despite these cowardly attacks, the Kenyan Government is determined to continue waging its war against terrorism.

Update, September 28, 2012

The Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) troops captured Kismayu, the Southern Somali port on Friday 28th September 2012 almost one year after the battle to liberate Somalia from the Al Shabaab militant group started.

The operations officer in charge of information at KDF Col Cyrus Oguna said there had been minimal resistance as the troops entered the last stronghold of the ragtag militants.

Al Shabaab militants expected and were prepared for a land invasion but they were duped by KDF who made an amphibious landing from the sea. The operation to capture Kismayu was codenamed Operation Sledgehammer.

Kenya Air Force (KAF) using F-5 fighter jets had been bombing strategic Al Shabaab points. There was also heavy shelling from Navy ships situated in the Indian Ocean.

As this was going on, Kenya army troops were landing in the city of Kismayu in the middle of the night.

The Kenyan troops deserve a part on the back for their bravery and well-fought battle to protect their country.

There is a high chance of restoring peace in the war-torn country where millions have suffered terribly.