Kenya naval ships shell and bomb Kismayo

[zomba]

The US and all its NATO allies could not tame Afghanistan as yet, after how many years and much US$ spent?

Cost of war $533,471,776,321 (five hundred thirty three billion four hundred seventy one million seven hundred seventy six thousand and still counting).

Can Kenya cough up even 5% of that for starting it with Somalis?

 

[kayundi2]

Nairobi, Kenya (CNN) -- Kenyan soldiers, as part of African Union forces in Somalia, captured the key Al-Shabaab-controlled town of Afmadow on Wednesday, according to a Kenyan Defence Force spokesman. "We now control Afmadow with our troops," Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir told CNN. The operation started early Wednesday, he said, with KDF forces capturing the town of Hayo. Six Al-Shabaab militants were killed in that operation. "(The troops) then moved straight onto Afmadow," said Chirchir.

New push against militants in Somalia

Military analysts believe that Afmadow is a key step in Kenya's campaign against Al-Shabaab, the Islamic militant group they have been fighting since they entered Somalia in October of last year. The town would serve as a staging point for any move on Kismayo, Al-Shabaab's stronghold in southern Somalia. "Afmadow is an important administrative town that was supplying Al-Shabaab fighters with money. It was their nerve center," said Chirchir. "After the fall of Amfadow there is only Kismayo."

Last week, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said it, along with Somali troops, had launched an offensive against militants in the Afgoye corridor, a densely-populated enclave near the volatile Somali capital of Mogadishu. The corridor, which has been controlled by the al Qaeda-backed Al-Shabaab, is populated with one of the largest populations of internally displaced people. The African Union said the militants have blocked many aid agencies from operating in the area. The campaign was "going well," AMISOM spokesman, Lt. Col. Paddy Nkunda said last week. "Al-Shabaab tried to fight, but they know they are about to lose Afgoye and our soldiers broke through their early resistance.

" Al-Shabaab announced in February that it was tightening its ties to al Qaeda. It has long been considered a terrorist movement by the United States. Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency against Somalia's feeble Transitional Federal Government since 2007, but has suffered recent setbacks in its heartland in southern Somalia. AMISOM and government forces drove Al-Shabaab fighters from the center of Mogadishu last year, while Kenyan troops crossed into southern Somalia in October to hit back for a rash of kidnappings it blamed on the group. Despite their efforts, however, Al-Shabaab has continued to launch terror attacks in the capital. In a second operation, 14 Al-Shabaab militants were killed and 10 others injured Tuesday when a Kenyan Defense Forces naval ship engaged with militants at an Al-Shabaab seaport watch station, the KDF said.

"The incident occurred when a KDF naval ship was conducting routine sea patrol in the vicinity of (the) port of Kismayu," according to a KDF statement. Two on-shore structures were destroyed, officials said. Elsewhere, in Fafadun, 20 Al-Shabaab militants surrendered to KDF, officials said.

Kenyan forces take Somali town from militants - CNN.com

 

[livefire]

this intel was out through grapevines as early as Monday. The Kenya Defence Forces without backing of tanks in theater are doing a pretty nice job. I heard someone doubting KDFs ability to act as an aggressor, it all settles to doctrine and strategy coined for each and every operation. Am proud of these guys.

 

[kayundi2]

The fall of Al-Shabaab manifested in the last weeks of May 2012 bringing to focus the role of key defense forces involved in the peace process in Somalia. Intelligence audit on the role of Kenya Defense Forces, KDF, authenticates a very logical matrix that lays bare how events shaped by KDF have shaped an end game to Al-Shabaab influence and military power in Somalia.


The entry of KDF in Somalia in October 2011 shocked the world; it was a case of a coward being up in arms after tolerating decades of suppression due to his tolerant self. This perception was wrong; Kenya is not cowardly rather the geopolitics of the country and its strategic importance underscores the need for multi-pronged efforts to stymie regional conflicts and internal security threats.


Since the Ugandan intervention, UPDF and AMISOM never made headway in Mogadishu for half a decade. Al-Shabaab deployed hundreds of intelligence officers to gather intelligence on AMISOM and TFG. Al-Shabaab efforts resulted to deaths of hundreds of AMISOM soldiers. Previous efforts by Ethiopia led to near massacre of Ethiopian defense forces in South Somalia leading to a hasty retreat and exit. AMISOM had achieved almost nought by October 2011 rather Al-Shabaab was getting stronger and more organized.
Between October 2011 and February 2012, KDF captured 14 strategic towns that were under the command and military wing of Al-Shabaab. (Busar, Inda El, Damase, El Afe, Faafahdhun, Dhobley, Qoqani, Tabta, Hayo, Dabilo, Raskamboni, Burgavo, Kulbio, and,Badhaadhe). It is only in January 2012 that AMISOM managed to make progress outside Mogadishu and last week took Daynille and Afgoye corridor. Only three major areas compared to strategic areas that served as bases and command locations for Al-Shabaab.
AMISOM and Ethiopian forces continue to ask Kenya to deploy its military superiority to defile Al-Shabaab and speed up the military operations. The Kenya airforce can hit Afgoye and its outskirts. Kenya airforce jets pounded Jillib but have since then stopped.
Analysis
The KDF entry into the Somali war theater was the only solution to the Somalia problem. Events that have played out (The inroads made in Mogadishu, the fall of Afgoye, and the fall of Baidoa) and the results of these events, when pieced together fill up a puzzle that indicates progress and strategic value of KDF in the Somali war theater.


It defines the Kenya army as very good in strategy and well equipped to counter militant outfits such as Al-Shabaab.
The strategy deployed by KDF managed to destroy enemy resource mobilization, enemy troop movement, assembly and distribution of enemy weaponry including guns, bullets, and bombs, defiling the capacity of the enemy even in others areas it controlled.


This trickle down effect is felt across Somalia where other foreign armies are operating including UPDF, the major player and pioneer of the military intervention in Somalia.


The 14 towns mentioned were both bases and command centers besides serving as training grounds, logistics, and bomb assembly facilities. KDF destroyed both equipment and resources, besides Al-Shabaab human capacity.
In comparison to the near decade UPDF-AU mission, the achievements on KDF were rapid and permanent while the UPDF-AU gains have consistently lacked cluster and benefit. The fall of Afgoye, Daynille, and Mogadishu comes many years after the UPDF-AU intervention and within the time, KDF launched its strategy for Somalia.
KDF stifled flow of resources, training of fighters, and movement of key Al-Shabaab military forces besides destruction of most of the Al-Shabaab war-machine. These losses, both in resources and manpower weakened Al-Shabaab besides sent most of their fighters running north.


The achievements made by AMISOM-UN coincide with when KDF intervened; meaning KDF played the central role in both shaping the future of Somalia, and routing Al-Shabaab. Secondly, KDF paved way for other key players like UPDF-AMISOM in making headway against Al-Shabaab.

KDF Gains Shapes the Somali Future With Strategic Precision « Strategic Intelligence News

 

[FJM]

Napita tu.

 

[MAMMAMIA]

Peace and stability in Somalia means peace in the whole region of the Horn of Africa.
KUDOS KDF, TFG, UDF, Ethiopian and Burundi troops under the allience of AMISOM.

 

[Nairoberry]

this is not yet fully confirmed terrorist al shabab have denied vehemently truth to be known kesho

 

[kayundi2]

[video]http://www.youtube.com/embed/tD0HrNbcgVU[/video]

 

[Kabaridi]

Peace and stability in Somalia means peace in the whole region of the Horn of Africa.
KUDOS KDF, TFG, UDF, Ethiopian and Burundi troops under the allience of AMISOM.

Kumbuka ENDF-Ethiopia ndio walizidisha kaa la moto kuendelea kuchomeka kwa kucreate Alshabaab. Hivyo hawa wengine ni imposters tu! Amisom walikuwa na mamlaka mogadishu. Walpoona KDF inapata matokeo mema ndio wakawa imposters kusongea karibu na Afgoye. Kama huna Habari.

 

[Bukyanagandi]

Napita tu.

Afadhali upite tu, Mkuu nakwambia mambo mengine ukiyasoma humu unaweza kukosa pumzi - hivi kweli mtu mwenye akili timamu anaweza ku-water down role kubwa iliyofanywa na JESHI la UGANDA nchini SOMALIA!!! Nafikili kuna tatizo kubwa katika nchi zetu hizi, tukianza mambo ya kusema nchi fulani ni zaidi ya nchi nyingine tukakosa ushirikiano, Al-Shabaab watatumaliza kwa kuendekeza ujinga wetu - chukulia mfano wa Afghanistani, hivi Merikani inaweza kujitapa eti imeweza kuki-contain kikundi cha Watallebani/wakina Mulla OMARI! jibu ni hapana, actually Wamerikani wanaondoka huko come next year; Warusi waliwahi kuwaonya Wamerikani kuhusu ugumu wa kupigan na watu hawa lakini Merikani ikapuuzia now the Americans are regretting their own FOLLY! Bila nchi za Africa Mashariki kushirikiana kwa hali na mali AL-Shabaab watatupa wakati mgumu tusikae tunajidanganya hapa.

 

[FJM]

Afadhali upite tu, Mkuu nakwambia mambo mengine ukiyasoma humu unaweza kukosa pumzi - hivi kweli mtu mwenye akili timamu anaweza ku-water down role kubwa iliyofanywa na JESHI la UGANDA nchini SOMALIA!!! Nafikili kuna tatizo kubwa katika nchi zetu hizi, tukianza mambo ya kusema nchi fulani ni zaidi ya nchi nyingine tukakosa ushirikiano, Al-Shabaab watatumaliza kwa kuendekeza ujinga wetu - chukulia mfano wa Afghanistani, hivi Merikani inaweza kujitapa eti imeweza kuki-contain kikundi cha Watallebani/wakina Mulla OMARI! jibu ni hapana, actually Wamerikani wanaondoka huko come next year; Warusi waliwahi kuwaonya Wamerikani kuhusu ugumu wa kupigan na watu hawa lakini Merikani ikapuuzia now the Americans are regretting their own FOLLY! Bila nchi za Africa Mashariki kushirikiana kwa hali na mali AL-Shabaab watatupa wakati mgumu tusikae tunajidanganya hapa.

Kwangu mimi Tomaso 'seminal work' kama hii huwa napenda kuweka ukutani karibu kabisa na historia ya Kinjeketile na maji war hadi pale msimu wa 'maembe' utakapopita!

 

[Delta4]

Kwa heshima, nduguBukyanagandi, I think you have failed to fully understand the gist of the analysis made about the military dynamics in Somalia post the entry of KDF into the Theatre. There is no mention nor any implication that offends the brave action and sacrifice of brother-soldiers in the UGABAG and FAB in Mogadishu at all. Nor is there an unjustified praise the performance of the KDF and neither a denigration the sizeable achievement of UGABAG and FAB - after all, critical analysis cannot progress from a position of bias. But critical analysis is just that - a critical analysis that seeks to establish facts as they are without embellishments and water-down reflections. As I Military Man, I can attests that this analysis (one of many that I have seen with near similar conclusions) is to a large extent factual and not in any way denigrating any of the Armies presently in Somalia. If you put aside this usual rubbishing of things Kenyan by Tanzanians, you might be able to be factually and rationally critical of this article and then give us the benefit of your assessment. Hayo tuu!!

 

[tomilay]

Here we come Kismayo.

 

[kshaka]

Here we come Kismayo.

Someone I know saw this beast up in NEP...I wouldn't wanna be AS right about now!

 

[simplemind]

Safisha hadi bahari ya sham!

 

[Nairoberry]

its now been confirmed. next target kismayu let the navy do it.

 

[Nairoberry]

The US and all its NATO allies could not tame Afghanistan as yet, after how many years and much US$ spent?

Cost of war $533,471,776,321 (five hundred thirty three billion four hundred seventy one million seven hundred seventy six thousand and still counting).

Can Kenya cough up even 5% of that for starting it with Somalis?

surely not but they can cough up that amount were it in TSH effortlessly

 

[kshaka]

There is one major problem with this forum...some people do not want to hear a single positive thing said about Kenya, even from Kenyans. It's as if we are not supposed to feel positive about our country just because they don't. This is a case in point. The above analysis is just common sense but because it paints Kenya in a positive light...it's not to be accepted.

Even before assaultinhg Afgoye last week, the Ugandan AMISOM commander was quoted by a Ugandan reporter saying that they would have liked to see Kenyan presence on that stage;

Amisom commanders estimate that they need 17,700 troops for the second phase of the operations, which involves taking over areas outside Mogadishu. Amisom first advanced beyond the city limits in late January 2012 where the troops managed to capture Mogadishu University and Barakaat Cemetery.

"The firepower of Kenya especially its aerial prowess is much needed in this stage," Paddy Ankunda, the force spokesman said.

 

[Delta4]

There is one major problem with this forum...some people do not want to hear a single positive thing said about Kenya, even from Kenyans. It's as if we are not supposed to feel positive about our country just because they don't. This is a case in point. The above analysis is just common sense but because it paints Kenya in a positive light...it's not to be accepted.

Even before assaultinhg Afgoye last week, the Ugandan AMISOM commander was quoted by a Ugandan reporter saying that they would have liked to see Kenyan presence on that stage;

Indeed I must agree witcha kshaka.

I am recently joined, but I too have noted this shocking manifestation.

It makes this extremely depressing as a discussion forum when intellectual content is polluted with such shallowness.
How can we learn and improve each other if we spend our time putting each other down?

I am have also noted that there is little content about of the huge successes of Tanzania, but equally there is very poor aeration of the shocking negatives of Tanzania either - criticism is reserved for Kenya and Kenyans.

I invite all our Tanzania brothers here to join in our military discussion forum, follow the link below here, in which a docket on JWTZ needs vital contribution and input from our Tanzanian brothers.

Karibuni.

THE EAST AFRICAN

 

[FJM]

Indeed I must agree witcha kshaka.

I am recently joined, but I too have noted this shocking manifestation.

It makes this extremely depressing as a discussion forum when intellectual content is polluted with such shallowness.
How can we learn and improve each other if we spend our time putting each other down?

I am have also noted that there is little content about of the huge successes of Tanzania, but equally there is very poor aeration of the shocking negatives of Tanzania either - criticism is reserved for Kenya and Kenyans.

I invite all our Tanzania brothers here to join in our military discussion forum, follow the link below here, in which a docket on JWTZ needs vital contribution and input from our Tanzanian brothers.

Karibuni.

THE EAST AFRICAN

Jirani Delta4 & kshaka,Kuna msemo unasema "ukimwaga ugali na mwezio anamwaga mboga". Kwa muda sasa this particular forum imekuwa hivyo- ugali vs mboga. Maybe with time tutaanza kuchangia mijadala but to tell you the truth I dont see that happening any time soon. Apparently Tanzania iko 'backwards sana!!!:A S-confused1: