Somalia: Civilians killed in fresh Kenyan airstrike

[Coeus]

Mogadishu (RBC) Kenyan military continue airstrike in southern Somalia killing at least two civilians near Garbaharey district in Gedo region on Saturday.

This fresh airstrike begun later Saturday as part of Kenya’s counter Al Shabab operation in Somalia.

Kenya warplanes targeted locations of Kanyarey, Qamoraho, Tafey and Taqe between Garbaharey and Burdhubo districts.

Local resident in the region told RBC Radio that the air raid occurred in Saturday afternoon. Two Somali herds men were killed in the raid.

“We heard huge explosion in the evening.” A resident named Ahmed Aden told RBC Radio by phone.

Another raid is reportedly in Kuda district of Lower Jubba region. Kuda is supposed to be biggest Al-Shabab training camp in the coastal region of southern Somalia.
No casualties are reported from this area.

The fresh airstrike by the Kenyan planes came after Kenyan military spokesman Colonel Cyrus yesterday told the media that they killed 60 Al-Shabab fighters in air raid near Garbaharey.

But Al-Shabab message on Twitter claimed no insurgent base had been hit.
“Kenya’s “short-sighted gunners seem to mistake the trees for Al-Shabab,” the message read.

Since Kenya army invaded Somalia Oct. 16, 2011 there had been constant air raids which many civilians were killed and others injured.

Despite fierce battle and airstrike from Kenyan and Ethiopian troops, Al-Shabab still maintains to control large swathes in the southern regions of Somalia.

RBC Radio