MOGADISHU, Somalia – Al Shabab militants reportedly clashed with Kenyan police units on Wednesday in Wajeer County, near the Somalia-Kenya border.
The fighting erupted when heavily armed militants ambushed a convoy of Kenyan soldiers near the Karso area, located in the town of Korof Harar, according to pro-Al Shabab media sources.
The militants killed at least nine soldiers and wounded several others in the attack. They also set fire to two vehicles. Kenyan authorities have not yet commented on the ambush.
Pro-Al Shabab media also claimed that the targeted forces were special police units, accusing them of kidnapping Kenyan Muslims, despite having no connection to Al Shabab.
Since 2011, Kenya has lost hundreds of people in Al Shabab attacks in border areas such as Mandera, Wajir, Lamu, and Garissa, which have crippled development in the region.
Al Shabab has vowed to continue its attacks until Kenya withdraws its military personnel, who are part of the African Union peacekeeping mission to stabilize Somalia.
Despite the group’s threats, Kenya has agreed to contribute troops to a new African Union mission set to begin next year in Somalia, after the current mission ends on December 31.
