KDF resumes ops in Somalia

摘要

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) announced on 3 January that they had captured the Somali town of Faafxaduun, indicating their offensive against the Shabab militant group is regaining momentum after it became bogged down by seasonal rains soon after it began in October. Faafxaduun is 90 km from the Kenyan border and has regularly changed hands in the fighting between the Shabab and its Somali enemies. It appears the Shabab did not defend the town in force, with KDF spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir reporting that only three militants were killed and one Kenyan soldier slightly wounded. While the KDF are regaining momentum as Somalia's dirt roads dry out, they can expect tougher resistance when they close in on larger towns such as Baardheere and Afmadow and their supply lines become increasingly stretched.