Alshabaab 1,000 walishambulia na kuawa zaidi ya 200
Alshabaab 1,000 walishambulia na kuawa zaidi ya 200
- Thread starter MK254
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elbarik
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 5, 2016
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Taarifa za kuaminika na zenye ushahidi wa video ambazo wameonyeshwa waandishi wa habari, ni kuwa kabla ya mashambulizi, ndege aina ya drones zilihesabu wapiganaji 1,000 wa Alshabaab wakiwa kama umbali wa 14km kutoka kwa kambi ndogo ya wanajeshi 250 wa KDF, wakiwa wanaelekea kwenye kambi.
Wanajeshi wa KDF walijipanga na kuhakikisha kila kitu kipo imara, lile kundi lilikuja na magari matatu yaliyokua yamesheheni mabomu ili kujilipua, lakini yalipokaribia, yakapigwa shaba na kulipuka. Japo mabomu hayo yalikua ya uwezo mkubwa kiasi kwamba milipuko hiyo ilienea kwa umbali wa mraba wa mita 200 na kusababisha maafa kwa baadhi ya wanajeshi shupavu na hodari wa KDF.
Alshabaab hao zaidi ya 1,000 wakaishia kushambulia kwa mpigo, huku wakitumia kila aina ya silaha walizokua nazo, lakini kwa sababu walisubiriwa ikawa wanadondoshwa kwa mtutu wa bunduki. Mambo yalibadilika na kuwa kama jehanum maana milipuko ya kujitoa mhanga ilisikika kote, vumbi na kiza, lakini KDF walibaki wima kwa ushujaa na ndani ya dakika 30 ndege aina ya helikopta zikawasili na kusaidia kwenye vurugu.
Hao magaidi walipoona ndege wakatoweka maana hapakua na jinsi tena.
Hongera mashujaa wetu, Mungu awalaze pema peponi mashujaa hodari waliopoteza maisha yao ambao idadi yao ni 21. Na hii ilisababishwa sana na mabomu ya kujitoa mhanga. Lakini nao alshabaab zaidi ya 200 waliuawa na wapo kuzimu wanagegeda mabikira 70 kila mmoja.
Heko kwa wanajeshi wa KDF muendelee kuilinda bendera yetu, na taifa letu, tunatambua jitihada zenu, na jinsi mnavyojitolea tena kwa uzalendo mkubwa.
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Major Denis Girenge, the commander of the Kenya Defence Forces camp at Kulbiyow that was attacked by Al-Shabaab on January 27 has for the first time given a blow-by-blow account of the battle against the estimated 1,000 militants.
The major, whose narrative was backed by footage shot by a drone that the military showed to the Sunday Nation, said a day earlier he received a call from an officer based at the Hulugho camp manned by KDF soldiers, who reported strange movements about 12km away that they suspected were Al-Shabaab militants.
“We concluded that they were planning to attack either my camp or Hulugho because from that point, we were 14km away while Hulugho was 18 kilometres away,” said Major Girenge.
He added: “I decided to send out a patrol at night, 5km north of my position so that they could spot an enemy approaching.
"At 6 pm I called my men and briefed them. We reconfigured our defence to replace the men who had gone out.”
At 3am one of the sentries informed him about some movements, like a heavy vehicle was moving.
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Major Girenge estimated it was 8km away.
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“After some minutes the movement stopped and there was none at all. We decided we should call surveillance guys.
"We had tried to call the locals to ask if they had spotted anything but none of their phones were going through,” he said.
The surveillance team at Hulugho dispatched Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, better known as drones, for the surveillance mission.
The drones were airborne within 10 minutes and from his command centre at the camp, the Major was monitoring images relayed from the skies.
“At around 3.30am I saw a sizable group in a bush, about 80 guys and it’s like they were receiving a briefing. We got the grid and laid our weapons including mortars and hit the place,” said Major Girenge.
THE ATTACK
It disrupted their meeting and they all rose and started running towards the camp.
“We were about 4km away. We could see them from the drone images.
"We kept on hitting but the group kept on increasing and we established that many other people had crept in, in groups during the day and were hiding in the bushes,” added Major Girenge.
At that point he called his commander in Manda and informed him that the numbers of the attackers was increasing by the minute despite the relentless firing.
The group then stopped at a village called Bulaqoqon, which is about 1.5 kilometres from the camp, and started marching towards the camp after about 10 minutes.
“At this point their number was a thousand plus. But before they began moving again, they all bowed to the ground and started praying.
"We could see all that from the drone. We hit them at that point and they started moving,” Major Girenge said.
By 5.15am the group was 800 metres away from the camp’s first line of defence positions.
“I ordered my men to open their small arms, and start hitting them. All this time they had not fired back. Until about 5.45am they fired the first shot.
"So I reported to CO (commanding officer) that we have established contact. My commander told me he has already scrambled aircrafts and they would be taking off,” said the major.
He went on: “The battle was on and everybody was busy. One soldier called me on radio and his exact words were Afande iko VBIEDs zinakuja, (Sir there are Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices approaching).”
A VBIED is simply a bomb on wheels.
“I told him to engage 84 mm calibre weapon which we use to destroy heavy vehicles. He fired and it exploded outside.
"The explosion was so massive and that changed the scenario. It created a gap and suicide bombers followed,” said Major Girenge.
The explosion created a massive impact because fragments were felt in a radius of 200 meters.
FAKE PHOTOS
Another two VBIEDS approached the camp but they never penetrated the defence lines after they were taken out by high calibre weapons.
“The explosion was massive and I believe that is what led to the number of casualties we sustained,” added Major Girenge.
Sitting on a bench outside his ward at the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi, he continued to narrate the events without batting an eyelid.
The battle-hardened soldier has fought in Somalia starting with his time at the rank of Captain.
He was in Kismayu in 2012 and the company he was leading had also taken Fafadun from Al-Shabaab in the same year.
Col Kenneth Mungai answers questions during an interview with Nation at Defence Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi on February 4, 2017. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
At 6.15am one of the pilots called him to say that he was getting into the aircraft and would be overhead in 30 minutes.
“At 7;45 am I heard the first choppers overhead. By 7am all guns were silent and I could hear a few remnants shouting as they pulled their bodies and run away.
"I called Army operations to say firing had ceased and we are consolidating and asked choppers to come in and help casualties,” added Mjr Girenge.
By 9am rescue helicopters had come and I was among the first to be airlifted.
He sustained gunshot wounds on his left arm, legs and lower abdomen.
Asked about the contradicting reports that the camp was overrun, the major burst out in laughter.
“I was at the camp until the last minute. If it was overrun I would not be here right now talking to you. I would be somewhere dead.
"We defended the camp to the last minute. It is Al-shabaab who ran away,” he said.
Regarding images posted by Al-Shabaab terrorist and their sympathisers, showing burning military tanks, he added.
“There were no tanks at Kolbiywo so those images are from somewhere else. They left immediately the aircrafts started firing.
"If anybody would have withdrawn from that camp, it would have fallen. We would be having a different story today.
"The only people who were out are those who were on patrol. I have since established they are well,” said Mjr Girenge.
STILL ALIVE
There were also claims that the command had fallen and the commanding officer either dead or taken prisoner by Shabaab.
He said: “I am the OC (Officer Commanding) and so claims that I died, that I went with Shabaab should not even be considered. I am right here.”
The Major, together with another officer of equal rank, and three Captains, commanded a total of 250 soldiers at the camp.
The core unit, comprised of the C-Company of the 15 KR based at Mariakani.
Other supporting units were Battery Pac Howitzer (artillery battery that specialises in heavy weapons), Section mortars and Engineers.
The team was deployed to Somalia on December 28, last year.
Official KDF reports shows 21 personnel died.
The initial report said nine KDF personnel were killed and the senior medical officer at the military hospital Col (Dr) Kenneth Mungai said 12 others died while undergoing treatment.
He added: “We received 44 personnel with injuries. Most of them were bullet injuries. We have since discharged 20 of them. So we still have others in hospital. Most of them required surgery.”
Major Girenge dismissed the Al-Shabaab propaganda figure of more than 50 dead as the usual terrorists’ trick of “blowing things out of proportion”.
Major Girenge is ready to go back to Somalia after leaving hospital.
The narrative given to the Sunday Nation was backed by drone footage that the military said gave a true picture of the events.
Major Girenge came back with a souvenir that will forever remind him of the war.
It is his smart phone with a bullet hole right through the middle.
Corporal Amani Ramadhan, another battle hardened soldier saw four of his men go down.
He was the section commander and in charge at the first line of defence.
“We were well prepared, the defence was organised. This was not a surprise because we had information. In terms of equipment we were prepared,” said Corporal Ramadhan.
Corporal Amani Ramadhan speaks to the Nation at Defence Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi on February 4, 2017. He saw four of his men go down. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
RELENTLESS SOLDIERS
When the first VBIED arrived at 6am, he ordered the men under his command to shoot the driver.
“The aim was to kill the driver and unfortunately we were not able to. After two minutes there was a heavy and loud explosion and it suddenly became dark like the night.
"All trees around were uprooted. I was only 30 metres away. I think I was the first victim. I lost a finger,” he said.
He, however, continued fighting along with a colleague he identifies as Sergeant Asiz, who was firing using a mounted machine gun.
“He told me he had fired the last bullet in the belt. I gave him another belt. He was shot as he loaded it. But he stood up and went on.
"He fired again before he was shot thrice. Then Corporal Mwakio was using an M4 and I told him to drop it and take over at the machine gun. He spotted another VBIED,” said Cpl Ramadhan.
He went on: “I told him to shoot the driver because if they came closer we would die. He shot the target and it exploded at a good distance. There was a third VBIED and it took another direction.”
Unfortunately Corporal Mwakio was also shot thrice and fell.
Two men were left with him Private Nguyo and Corporal Ouma who from their positions they were not able to take the machine gun.
They also died in battle.
As the Corporal lay still injured, he saw Al-shabaab fighters load bodies of their dead fighters on two lorries.
He estimates more than 200 bodies were loaded on trucks.
“At no time was the camp overran. They ran away. If it was overran then we would not be here. Rescue aircraft were able to land. To me in my estimate we killed over 200.”
“The bodies were piled until the lorries were full. Those are the only ones I saw but there were other,” said Corporal Ramadhan.
Face to face with Shabaab: KDF heroes’ testimony
elbarik
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 5, 2016
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Naah sidhani, and if there is maybe ni the drone footage of which sidhani kama itakuja toka maybe ileak.
Edward Wanjala
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 3, 2016
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Yeah the government wont release that video whatsoever
MK254
JF-Expert Member
- May 11, 2013
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- Thread starter
- #68
At Kulbiyow military camp in Somalia that was attacked by Al-Shabaab terrorists two week ago, one thing sticks out; a huge crater formed after a powerful car bomb exploded.
The explosion marked the start of a fierce gun battle that continued for two hours before the attackers retreated and fled.
When the Daily Nation visited the camp on Monday, only a handful of charred motor vehicle parts remained at the scene of explosion, about 600 metres from the centre of the camp.
Most of the soldiers who fought in that battle were at the camp.
Twenty-one of their colleagues died while 44 others sustained injuries and were airlifted to Nairobi for treatment.
There is a new officer in charge, Major George Osano, who was deployed to replace Major Denis Girenge, who is admitted to the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi.
READ: Reassess KDF's mission in Somalia - expert
READ: Shabaab attacks KDF camp in Somalia - AUDIO
Pointing at the crater, he explained: “This is the place where one of the VBIEDs (vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices) exploded. It’s our men who destroyed it before it could reach the camp.
"This big depression shows that the explosion force was downwards because it was hit by a mortar, from above.”
Remnants of the mortar bomb that did the damage are visible on the ground.
“The intention was to drive through and get right into the camp so that when it explodes, there is maximum damage.
"After that, fighters with guns would storm in and face the least resistance,” said Major Osano.
He explained that the impact of the explosion sent shockwaves to a radius of 200 metres.
On the other side of the vast land, about 800 metres from the centre of the camp, are many spots of blood-drenched ground.
Standing on one spot Major Osano explained: “This is where the battle was won. It has been many days but as you can see, many of their attackers were felled here. You can see how far it is from the camp.”
He added: “We took them out from far away. We are not in the business of gauging how many were killed, all we do is win the war. They could not go past this place and so they decided to leave.”
CHANGING TACTICS
Mjr Osano also said: “Most of the attackers are youngsters who have been conscripted by force. We have studied their tactic and so we have also changed theirs to beat them.
"And we shall keep going on because we know they have discovered VBIEDs will no longer work.”
The camp is dotted with bags filled with sand erected around dugouts that are manned by heavily armed soldiers.
The bags are riddled with bullets that were not able to penetrate through.
The ground is also littered with spent cartridges, the other only sign of the battle nearly two weeks ago.
The bunkers are the defence positions and that is also where the soldiers sleep and keep watch.
This is the area the Al-Shabaab had planned to reach as they converged on the camp from different directions.
Then there is the outer ring — a big area of land cleared of all bushes and trees so that any invaders are clearly visible from the defence positions.
The perimeter of the outer ring is secured with mounds of earth about three meters high.
This is the area where most of the attackers retreated and further ahead, where the explosions occurred.
At another corner are drums of fuel for armoured personnel carriers and trucks and also used for powering generators.
The camp is manned by the C Company of the 15 Kenya Rifles Battalion from Mariakani.
Calm returns to KDF camp as survivors take their posts
The explosion marked the start of a fierce gun battle that continued for two hours before the attackers retreated and fled.
When the Daily Nation visited the camp on Monday, only a handful of charred motor vehicle parts remained at the scene of explosion, about 600 metres from the centre of the camp.
Most of the soldiers who fought in that battle were at the camp.
Twenty-one of their colleagues died while 44 others sustained injuries and were airlifted to Nairobi for treatment.
There is a new officer in charge, Major George Osano, who was deployed to replace Major Denis Girenge, who is admitted to the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi.
READ: Reassess KDF's mission in Somalia - expert
READ: Shabaab attacks KDF camp in Somalia - AUDIO
Pointing at the crater, he explained: “This is the place where one of the VBIEDs (vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices) exploded. It’s our men who destroyed it before it could reach the camp.
"This big depression shows that the explosion force was downwards because it was hit by a mortar, from above.”
Remnants of the mortar bomb that did the damage are visible on the ground.
“The intention was to drive through and get right into the camp so that when it explodes, there is maximum damage.
"After that, fighters with guns would storm in and face the least resistance,” said Major Osano.
He explained that the impact of the explosion sent shockwaves to a radius of 200 metres.
On the other side of the vast land, about 800 metres from the centre of the camp, are many spots of blood-drenched ground.
Standing on one spot Major Osano explained: “This is where the battle was won. It has been many days but as you can see, many of their attackers were felled here. You can see how far it is from the camp.”
He added: “We took them out from far away. We are not in the business of gauging how many were killed, all we do is win the war. They could not go past this place and so they decided to leave.”
CHANGING TACTICS
Mjr Osano also said: “Most of the attackers are youngsters who have been conscripted by force. We have studied their tactic and so we have also changed theirs to beat them.
"And we shall keep going on because we know they have discovered VBIEDs will no longer work.”
The camp is dotted with bags filled with sand erected around dugouts that are manned by heavily armed soldiers.
The bags are riddled with bullets that were not able to penetrate through.
The ground is also littered with spent cartridges, the other only sign of the battle nearly two weeks ago.
The bunkers are the defence positions and that is also where the soldiers sleep and keep watch.
This is the area the Al-Shabaab had planned to reach as they converged on the camp from different directions.
Then there is the outer ring — a big area of land cleared of all bushes and trees so that any invaders are clearly visible from the defence positions.
The perimeter of the outer ring is secured with mounds of earth about three meters high.
This is the area where most of the attackers retreated and further ahead, where the explosions occurred.
At another corner are drums of fuel for armoured personnel carriers and trucks and also used for powering generators.
The camp is manned by the C Company of the 15 Kenya Rifles Battalion from Mariakani.
Calm returns to KDF camp as survivors take their posts
Edward Wanjala
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 3, 2016
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Atleast NTV has given us a near reliable information.
We know in war soldiers die, but our galant KDF are dear to our hearts and anytime they are hurt or killed our hearts can't bear the heaviness.
Bravo KDF, this are the guys who keep us safe day in day out. Since the entry in Somalia, Kenya is at peace, no church bombs, no mosque shooting, no school shooting no mall shootings, Kenya is safe once again!!
KDF Strong
Edward Wanjala
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 3, 2016
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He really pisses me off! I thought someone becomes wiser as he grows, but Raila, Oh No! Although he never won the 2013 elections, I regret voting for him!! Never again will i ever do that, with my family and friends!!!
How can a true leader behave like this, drooping so low that he becomes an Alshabaab mouth piece??
Lwiva
JF-Expert Member
- Apr 17, 2015
- 15,416
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Hiyo inawakuteni nyinyi al shab wakiwachapa mna ziona simu chungu hata jf
Juakali1980
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 21, 2015
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If you watched the video ..KDF soldiers jump out the aircraft to take positions..why didnt they radio their fellow soldiers at the camp to do so while they land?? being shown empty fields does no prove anything...THIS YET ANOTHER COVERUP...AM WAITING FOR JICHO PEVU'S INDIPENDENT INVESTIGATIOS...
Edward Wanjala
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 3, 2016
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Eeeish man, you still believe in Jicho pevu when people stopped long time ago??? After analyzing its videos, only one stands credibility, and that is Kanyeri, the rest is PR thing, something that i can make when sitting on my computer. Jicho Pevu is total crap!!!
The fields show proof in the matter that what Alshabaab were saying and what is on the ground are two worlds apart. It confirms what the injured commander was saying.
In any case the survivors were all taken from the camp, do you expect the injured to be left behind by the Alshabaab??
If you have watched many military videos and especially on Gorilla fighters you will realize that shooting always starts when the militia has started.
Differentiating from friendly rebels, other friendly soldiers, civilians and the gorilla fighters is very difficult.
Look for the information on Benghazi attack, attacks in Kabul, Somalia Parliament attack etc, then you will confirm what am saying here
This is not conventional war far remember.
karume kenge
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 9, 2016
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We kweli muongo wanajeshi 1000 kwenye magari matatu walipandaje
Jumong S
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- Jul 3, 2013
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Brother I like the way you present the matter, mtu ambaye hajawasoma magaidi atatukana sana. Ni rahisi kuwafagia wakiwa in their camps, ila wakiwa in human shield ni vigumu sana kuwamaliza. Mf KDF walifanikiwa kpnd Al shaabab walipokuwa na camps
Kikubwa ni kuwekeza in intelligence matters ili kuwafukunyua wawapo ktk jamii. Kill as more al shabaab as possible.
Kila la kheri KDF.....msichoke, hiyo ndo vita mpya ya dunia ya sasa.
Juakali1980
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 21, 2015
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Empty fields..the camp was decimated thats why all we see are soldiers who alighted from the military transporter plane...this IS YET ANOTHER COVER UP...