Al-Shabab ambush Kenya peacekeepers Convoy

Al-Shabab has ambushed Kenya soldiers’ convoy serving with the African Union peace forces in Somalia, residents said.

Dozens of armed Al-Shabab fighters attacked a convoy carrying Kenyan troops on Tuesday in a remote area close to El-Adde town in southwestern Gedo region of Somalia.

”We heard heavy gun battles that lasted for more than 12 hours. All the residents were in state of fear and shock,” said one resident in Likooley, where the attack took place.

The number of casualties is yet unclear as the area is remote.

But Al-Shabab officials have claimed through their media that they have killed around 12-soldiers and destroyed military trucks.

Kenya Defense Force (KDF) left El-Adde on Monday night, less than a month after less than a month after its military base overran by the group.

Goobjoog new correspondent in Gedo confirmed that military forces had left the towns but says it is unclear reason behind the withdrawal.

Kenya contributed more than 4,000 troops to the 22,000-strong AU force that is in Somalia helping the UN-backed government battle Al-Shabab.

Al-Shabab was ousted from the capital, Mogadishu, in August 2011, but still has a presence in large areas of southern Somalia and often stages attacks across the country.

AMISOM was established by the African Union Peace and Security Council in January 2007. One month later, the UN Security Council approved the mission’s mandate, which, among other things, includes supporting Somalia’s transitional government, training Somali security forces and combating Al-Shabab.