Al Shabaab's Abu Yahya al Libi May Have Been Killed in Dalayat, Somalia

THIRTEEN Al Shabaab insurgents including one of its top commanders were on Tuesday killed by the Kenya Defense Forces following a fierce exchange of fire at Dalayat, Southern Somalia.

Following the attack, one Kenyan soldier was wounded, and had to be flown to Garissa military camp, where he is undergoing medical attention.

Two other KDF soldiers who got hurt in the ensuing battle are said to have been treated and resumed operations in the war-torn horn of Africa state. "The other two who had sustained minor injuries were treated and have since resumed duty," Chirchir said, and commended the soldiers taking part in the Operation Linda Nchi. Abu Yahya who is Al Shabaab's field commander in the southern sector is believed to have been gunned down in the 4pm raid by a joint operation of KDF and Somalia's Transitional Federal Government soldiers.

In a press statement sent to newsrooms by KDF spokesman, Emmanuel Chirchir, the allied forces ambushed the insurgents' hideout, where it launched the attack. "During the attack, 13 Al Shabaab militants were killed while others escaped with serious injuries," read the statement which further revealed that eight machine guns were recovered. Hailing the breakthrough, Chirchir described Dalayat as a stronghold of Al Shabaab. He said the town doubles up as the terror group's command centre for the southern region, which in turn protects the town of Bula haji.

The gunning down of the Yahya is a major boost to KDF and TFG forces that have been fighting the Al-Qaeda- linked terror group for over three months. KDF has been repulsing the al shabaab, and has vowed not to relent in its quest to free Somalia from atrocities occasioned by the gang. The Kenyan forces have since captured key towns, especially in the coastal region, which had continued to pose a security threat to the Kenyan coastal line and urban centres.

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Al Shabaab suffers 100 Dead at Dalayat, Southern Somalia

Nairobi — At least 100 fighters including eight top Al-Shabaab commanders have been killed in the latest battle in a town northeast of Badhade, Somalia, officials said on Friday. Military spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said the Kenyan helicopter gunships on Friday hit at Al-Shabaab positions, which included 200 Al-Shabaab fighters, one of the largest concentrations of the Al-Shabaab fighters, killing at least 100 fighters and destroying nine technicals and nine trucks used by the fighters.

He said the Kenyan troops advanced into the town of Badhade and Hayo in Southern Somalia, boosting their chances for a successful battle for the port of Kismayu and the town of Afmadhow, a provincial capital and a key hub of the Al-Shabaab, which is one of the main ultimate targets of the operation. 'The operation is likely to shape the future of the operation,' Major Chirchir said in his official Twitter account, minutes after the air-strikes.

The military said the Al-Shabaab fighters were concentrated in the town of Dalayat, from where its top commanders planned a counter attack on the town of Badhade. Chirchir said,

•  'Al-Shabaab strength (was) estimated at over 200. 
• The KDF (Kenya Defense Forces) gunships destroyed Al-Shabaab at Dalayat,' a key transit point from the sea frequently used by the group to re-stock its military supplies.
• The KDF military officials also said other attacks against the Al-Shabaab locations took place at Badhade at around 16:45 East African time and a battle damage assessment was still ongoing. 
• Kenyan troops have been on the ground in Somalia since Oct. 16, 2011 against the Al-Shabaab militants, which have been mounting armed incursions into Kenya.

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