Kenya Army Advances to Dhobley- Southern Somalia

[Meru]

heavy fighting has broken out between al shabab and militia loyal to TFG in southern Somalia along the Kenya border. there are many casualties reported. Kenya army according to breaking news is already reinforced and gathering in the area to the border. reports by Somali witnesses say that Kenya army tanks have entered the area around dhobley and are advancing to the center of the town to reinforce TFG. a Kenyan army officer as also told international news correspondents that indeed Kenya plans to to attack the al Shabab in the entire Jubbada Hoose including kismaayo area. Kenya jet fighters have also been spotted 80 km west of kismayo

By midafternoon on Friday, witnesses said that the Shabab fighters had been repulsed and that the Kenyan military was poised to get involved should the Shabab try again to take Dhobley. The town is only a few miles from the border with Kenya, and Kenyan officials are increasingly concerned that the Shabab, a vehemently anti-Western group that has pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda, might attack inside Kenya.

A Kenyan security official interviewed Friday said that he had just been sent to the border and that hundreds of Kenyan soldiers and police officers were preparing to enter Somalia. Residents in the area reported seeing Kenyan fighter planes and helicopters flying over Dhobley, though Kenyan officials have thus far been careful not to engage directly in Somalia’s internal fighting — or at least not to allow such activities to be made public.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world ... order.html
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Kenya+beef ... index.html

[Voltage]

Something serious would make Kenya get involved in Somalia considering the consequence it could face and I doubt it is because they now think Shabaab is a physical "threat" to Kenya. Kenya is possibly doing this to face down Ethiopia's ambitions in Jubbaland. Both Kenya and Ethiopia have designs to be the patron of the federal state which would include Gedo, Lower Jubba, and Middle Jubba regions of Somalia. The Ethiopian supported groups have seen much success in taking territory and holding it from Al Shabab while Kenya's "Azania" project, instead of going off, has actually regressed.

You have to realize that Kenya not only has a sizable and pronounced indigenous Somali population but has also been the country that became the home of the largest Somali refugee population in the world. Kenya has always protected its neutral political position in domestic Somali politics precisely because of the threats that can emanate if it took on Ethiopia's incursion driven foreign politics towards Somalia.

Kenya is also heavily stationed in Mandhera and Bura-Hache zones across from the Gedo region of Somalia (Beled-Xaawo and Ceelwaaq districts) however they never trespassed inside of Somalia borders despite that fact that Mandhera is Kenya's largest city neighboring Somalia and many times fighting in Gedo has spilled into it. They haven't become involved because Ethiopia has a vested interest in being the dominant patron there.

If Kenya is now going to physically get involved in other districts of the Jubbaland state, it isn't because because they are all of a sudden mindful of Shabaab's threats but are really sending a foreceful message to Ethiopia that they aren't the only patron in the state.

Kenya is now showing it is able to finally take the risk of staring down Ethiopia.
'

[Advo]

I thinking using jet fighters just to put band aids on injured soldiers is unnecessary, I think Kenyan army coming to kiss wounded booboos is cute but they shouldn't get involved in things they aren't build for. They enjoy the same right as a waterboy, enjoy the view of men fighting from the sidelines and occasionally assist the men with h2O and things of that sort.

[ina aadan]

I thinking using jet fighters just to put band aids on injured soldiers is unnecessary, I think Kenyan army coming to kiss wounded booboos is cute but they shouldn't get involved in things they aren't build for. They enjoy the same right as a waterboy, enjoy the view of men fighting from the sidelines and occasionally assist the men with h2O and things of that sort.

Advo waxaan maqlay kenyatigu markay ridayaan qoriga way sii jedsadaan, e marunbaa.

[Voltage]

Ina Aadan, you and Advo reminded me of this.

You just reminded me of the events that took place in 1976 when Somalia was preparing for war with Ethiopia and Kenya said they might think of joining forces with Ethiopia in the event of Somali move towards neighboring states. In front of a delegation from the outside world trying to calm matters, 500 Somali mothers dressed in fatigues camped in front of Villa Somalia and yelled send the men to the Ethiopian front while we 500 women will hold the southern front against Kenya.

[Meru]

@voltage i think you have done a good analysis but i beg to differ that now Kenya wants to show Ethiopia one thing or two. i think Kenya is genuinely concerned about the security threat posed by al shabab. for Kenya to actively send its army inside Somalia means the issue at hand is serious. and by the way what gain does Kenya have in competing with Ethiopia? Kenya is naturally not a belligerent country. but Ethiopia should stay out of southern Somalia especially Azania if it wants us to uphold our 1964 treaty. meles zenawi i think is a war monger he has wars in every front. so he should calm down and concentrate with Eritrea. Kenya wants a peaceful Somalia just that

@advo, underestimate the Kenya army at your own peril,am happy they are bombing al shabab to stone age, i hope grandpa is not caught up

[AhlulbaytSoldier]

Kenyans invade Somalia is the same as Jordan invade Israel.
Lets be honest, the bantus from kenya are clearly the most cowardly nation.
Their DNA is not that of warriors.

Azania is trained by Kenya, result : azania's soldiers have become soft, running away every time shabaab attacks them.
While the result of amxaaro crusaders training ilkoyar dabadhilifs is: crazy to attack murtaddiinta shabaab, strong on defense.

May Allah destroy them all together.

May Allah destroy them all together.

[abdisamad3]

Actually this is a good move if Kenya invade Somalia it might bring unity among the somalis as this will make them forget their indifference and unite them against one enemy

[ina aadan]

war dad ma ahan niyow kenyaatigu, waxay isku darsadeen fulaynimo iyo cawaanimo.

[union]

Welcome to the fray! Enjoy your stay in the little country at the bottom of hell.

[Meru]

Actually this is a good move if Kenya invade Somalia it might bring unity among the somalis as this will make them forget their indifference and unite them against one enemy

Kenya is not an enemy, the enemy is al shabab

[EEGA9]

war dad ma ahan niyow kenyaatigu, waxay isku darsadeen fulaynimo iyo cawaanimo.

Waryaa Kenya dib dambe uma galaysid walee Kilamanjaro baadan cunta ka dhadhamin, General Yusuf Haaji ciidankiisa aflagaadada ka daa

[abdisamad3]

Actually this is a good move if Kenya invade Somalia it might bring unity among the somalis as this will make them forget their indifference and unite them against one enemy

Kenya is not an enemy, the enemy is al shabab

in your opinion yes

[Meru]

Welcome to the fray! Enjoy your stay in the little country at the bottom of hell.

hi my great friend i want to tell you Kenya army comes in peace just to kill and destroy al shabab, please they are not attacking Somalia they are attacking the terrorist, long live our friendship

[ToughGong]

Advo waxaan maqlay kenyatigu markay ridayaan qoriga way sii jedsadaan, e marunbaa.