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Kenya forces advance in Somalia

20 October 2011 01:53 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Kenyan troops have advanced further into southern Somalia in an effort to capture areas controlled by al-Shabab militants, who control much of the Horn of Africa country, APA reports quoting Press TV.

On Tuesday, the troops backed by Somali militia groups seized the key town of Qoqani, 80 kilometers from Kenyan border, but the push toward the strategic town of Afmadow (120 kilometers into the Somali southern territory) was slowed by rain, the Associated Press reported.

Enjoying aerial support, Kenyan ground forces crossed into Somalia on Sunday in the hunt for al-Shabab, whom Nairobi blames for recent spate of kidnappings in Kenya.

Four European women, including two Spanish humanitarian aid workers, have been abducted in Kenya in the past weeks. Al-Shabab, though, has denied involvement in kidnappings.

"We are pursuing bandits from the al-Shabab who are attacking our people and our land, Kenya. We are not at war with Somalia. We are making sure these bandits are kept very far from our border and we will try to rescue the kidnapped Europeans," a Kenyan government official said, requesting anonymity.

The UN-backed transitional government of Somalia has not formally confirmed the military intervention by the Kenyan forces.

Witnesses, meanwhile, said that al-Shabab were digging trenches and tunnels to protect themselves inside and around Afmadow, while residents were fleeing the town.

The Kenyan police was also put on high alert as the militants reportedly threatened to repel attacks and carry out revenge assaults in Kenya.