Somalia accuses KDF of civilian deaths in Gedo airstrikes

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia has protested what it termed as ‘continual Kenyan airstrikes that kill and maim civilians in Somalia’ following reports that Kenya Defence Forces’ airstrikes hit civilian targets in the Gedo region this past week.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said KDF was harming civilians and destroying property in the pretext of fighting Al-Shabaab militants.

“It is becoming increasingly obvious the provocative indiscriminate manner the KDF conducts operations in Somalia under the pretext of fighting extremism, will not contribute to efforts toward stabilizing and confronting extremism but only further radicalize communities in support of extremism,” the statement read in part.

Kenyan air force conducted airstrikes in El Adde and Hisa-u-gur areas in Gedo region on Thursday and allegedly hit civilian targets and property. Somalia has in the past accused the KDF of killing civilians and destroying private property during its operations in Gedo region.

In the statement Thursday, Somalia said it will seek compensations in line with the AMISOM Status of Mission Agreement.

There was no immediate comment from Kenyan authorities following the accusation. The two countries have since severed diplomatic ties.