Sophisticated intelligence gathering tactics that included using pilotless spy planes or drones and infiltration of Al-Shabaab terrorist group resulted in the killing of 13 militants by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Ras Kamboni on Sunday.
Military officials conversant with how Al Shabaab’s attempted ambush of a convoy of the Kenyan soldiers patrolling the border was repulsed said covert intelligence gathering tactics was crucial in over-powering the militants.
Drones are unmanned aircraft either controlled by ‘pilots’ from the ground or programmed to fly over certain areas. They are mainly used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes, taking photographs and transmitting the images to a command centre. Some drones can also be used to bomb targets on the ground.
“Data provided by drones was used by (KDF) to monitor the movement of the Al Shabaab militants on their mission to attack the KDF convoy before the KDF soldiers moved against them in a surprise attack killing 13 of them,” a soldier conversant with the events in Ras Kamboni told the Daily Reporter.
During the Sunday combat in Ras Kamboni 13 militants were killed and scores escaped with multiple injuries. The militants are estimated to have been about 40.
In the recent past Al-Shabaab militants have suffered major setbacks after their attempts to attack KDF and other African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces were either foiled or scattered.
KDF jets have in the recent past conducted aerial strikes at suspected Al-Shabaab hideouts around Ras Kamboni in an operation to flush out remnants of the militants from the region.
As part of the Amisom forces, KDF is in charge of Sector II together with Somali National Army
During the Sunday fierce fighting, one soldier sustained injuries while scores of Al-Shabaab militants escaped with multiple injuries from the scene after being overpowered by the Kenyan forces.
The Amisom forces managed to recover three rocket propelled grenades (RPG’s), a machine gun, and 4 AK-47 assault rifles.
The Al Qaeda linked terror group was removed from its major strongholds that include Kismayu in Somalia by African Union force (AMISOM) in 2011.
Previously the group has carried out several attacks in Kenya including the Garissa University College attack.
The Garrisa University attack which occurred in 2015 was one of Kenya’s most devastating terror attacks.
