Kenya declares war on Al Shabaab!

Kenya declares war on Al Shabaab!

November 2011

Kenya's array of weapons for Operation Linda Nchi

 are several attack helicopters, including the MD 500 Mi-35 and Harbin z-9w gunship from China. The latter is a big war craft with powerful guns, including anti-tank missiles used for ground attack and air assault, although it can ferry cargo and up to 10 soldiers when fully armed.

Against this beast(Helicopters), the Al Shabaab's truck-mounted anti-aircraft guns called technicals and donkeys are no match, especially when it gets support from the versatile but much smaller MD 500 attack helicopter from the US.

Puma helicopters will be rearming troops on the field and bringing in cargo and extra soldiers when needed. Although quite old, it is still fast enough and can fly at night as well as during daytime.

In addition, the KDF has deployed its upgraded and superfast F-5 Tiger attack jets that combine speed and precision bombing and also sport modern radar and anti-aircraft fire detection and evasion systems.

Battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers and MRAPs, or Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, will back the attack helicopters. The KDF can also deploy missile launchers for its variety of long-range surface-to-surface missiles and surface-to-air missiles.

Among the battle tanks is the reliable MK3 tanks sporting 105mm guns and an intimidating size.

In readiness for the muddy conditions that have hit the Jubaland region, KDF also have ARV recovery tanks equipped with hydraulic-operated mechanism for rescuing vehicles stuck in mud, or that have broken down.

The military will be moving around in Panhard armoured car and personnel vehicles. Made in France, the Panhard is a fortress on wheels made for rugged terrains. Its thick, protective body gives soldiers inside the feeling of invincibility, and it is preferred for its speed and agility. It can reach speeds of up to 90km per hour.

The Panhard M3 has more space to carry troops. Scores of these have been deployed across the border. A single soldier can mount several kinds of guns on the hull for operation.

Al Shabaab have been deploying mines that kill indiscriminately, but the KDF has a solution in the shape of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to glide over the scrublands of Jubaland. Bought from South Africa, the vehicles are specially reinforced to survive small explosions, ensuring that soldiers are protected.

The soldiers will have the choice of the much-feared American M16 assault rifles that can accommodate silencers and a powerful scope allowing them to silently take out Al Shabaab sentries.

In his daily briefing on Monday, Military Spokesperson Major Emmanuel Chirchir advised the Press to be alert to Al Shabaab propaganda being fed to certain media, including Press TV.

"Attention of the Ministry of State for Defence has been drawn to the influx of propaganda and false information in regards to the on-going operation in Somalia. The continued false reporting by Press TV and other like minded media is un-acceptable and should not be taken as factual information and events," said Major Chirchir.

"The Kenya Defence Forces continues to caution the media to be vigilant and wary of being used to propagate propaganda set up by Al Shabaab or their sympathisers by relaying such information to the general public before thorough examination and consultation with our Public Affairs Office," he added.

-Reporting by Cyrus Ombati, Boniface Ongeri, David Ochami and Patrick Mathangani
Source: The Standard | Online Edition :: Kenya's military might
 
Kenyans spend more time tweeting than fighting!
More but not merrier

Nov 28th 2011, 16:41 by J.L. | WAJIR

KENYA sent thousands of troops to southern Somalia a month ago to wipe out the jihadist Shabab militia. It wants to establish a buffer state in the south, perhaps to be called Jubaland, in order better to protect its national interests. These include boosting safety for tourists and increasing trade, especially cattle imports from Somalia and exports to Somalia of Qat, a mild narcotic. A peaceful Jubaland is also a precondition of the planned construction of a multi-billion dollar port and town in the region near Lamu, where foreigners have recently been killed and kidnapped by Somali gangs. It should improve Kenya's chances of selling oil and gas concessions there too.

The operation is not yet a success. Sceptics say the Kenyans have spent more time Tweeting than fighting. The Shabab have cockily said the Kenyans are free to leave before things get serious.

Kenya claims to have held back on an all-out advance on the key Shabab-held port of Kismayo to wait for the rains to end and to secure gains by building trust with local clan militias and businessmen. There is clearly support for the Kenyans in several conquered areas. In some places the Shabab forces have been notably quiet. Tellingly, their masked fighters seen in parades appear to be boys; the men have slipped away.

Some degree of escalation is almost certain. Kenyan victories in Somalia are likely be met with a Shabab bombing campaign in Kenya and beyond. Vigilance of security guards in Kenya is already faltering in the face of the country's happy-go-lucky outlook. The best chance of averting carnage in the Kenyan capital Nairobi looks to be luck and jihadist incompetence. At least incompetence is possible after Western and Ethiopian intelligence campaigns of recent years have successfully targeted Shabab bomb-makers and commanders; several would-be Shabab "martyrs" have accidentally blown themselves up this week. Then again, other bombers have succeeded in setting off blasts in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Besides, such thin hopes are no consolation for tourists and investors who want to visit Kenya.
......

The Kenyan pact with Israel has shocked some Kenyan Muslims. They have largely been supportive of moving into Somalia, but if the campaign flounders, people may become more sympathetic to the jihadists' message.

The Economist

My take: Hawa Wakenya maneno mengi lakini sasa ni dhahiri kwamba jamaa ni waoga, tena sana!
 
everybody and their momma lately is an expert of kenyan military.

no one had any clue of the Kenyan operation, no one knew what the plan is yet everyone is now an expert on Kenya's operation.

people want to see bombs exploding, bullets flying, carnage and dead bodies so that they can have something dramatic and exciting to write about.

Kenya is being smart than what most people think.
 
nomasana said:
everybody and their momma lately is an expert of kenyan military.

no one had any clue of the Kenyan operation, no one knew what the plan is yet everyone is now an expert on Kenya's operation.

people want to see bombs exploding, bullets flying, carnage and dead bodies so that they can have something dramatic and exciting to write about.

Kenya is being smart than what most people think.
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COMESA SUPPORTS KENYA'S FIGHT AGAINST AL SHABAAB

Updated 1 hr(s) 29 min(s) ago
By Philip Mwakio


The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has said it supports Kenya's war against Al Shabaab in Somalia.

In his address during the official opening of a Comesa committee of Elders retreat in Mombasa, Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya said the organisation fully supported the Kenyan Government in its fight against the militia.

" We wish to express our support to the Kenyan Government and its population in their fight against the Al Shabaab and wish you success in this endeavour. We have every confidence that your efforts will go long way towards enhancing global security especially in the area of terrorism and piracy," Ngwenya said.
The Secretary General, whose speech was read on his behalf by Brian Chigawaya, director of Legal and Institutional Affairs of Comesa said that they were delighted to hold their first retreat in Kenya, which has been at the forefront in conflict resolution in the Horn of Africa and in particular the mediation role Kenya played to end the 21 year long conflict in the Sudan.

He told the gathering that the Comesa Committee of elders should put their skills towards supporting ongoing mediation efforts in the region.

The Comesa committee of elder's retreat main objective is to develop rules of procedure.

Foreign Affairs assistant minister, Richard Onyonka officiated the opening of the retreat.

Onyonka urged the international community to take advantage of the opportunity created by joint operation mounted by Kenya Defence Forces and the Transitional Federation Government Forces of Somali to realize the otherwise elusive objective of creating a peaceful and stable Somalia.

Onyonka said deepening of the integration of the region through the custom union and progressing towards the Comesa/EAC/Sadc tripartite Free trade area remains an important avenue for development in the region.

Source: The Standard | Comesa supports Kenya&
 
Kenya is just doing this to protect our national nd strategic interests.no apologies to make.we shal fight those militiamen men with every resource we have got.the army is already folowing orders..
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Soldiers in Field Remain Unpaid
Ras Kamboni, TFG Forces Threaten to Stop Fighting

By ABDIKAFAR HOSH 11/29/2011
Kenyan_Troops_in_Lower_juba___effected_by_rain.jpg
Kenyan forces face Lower Juba rains

Soldiers from the Transitional Federal Government and the Ras Kamboni militia who are fighting alongside the Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) in southern Somalia are threatening to quit the front lines if they do not get paid soon.

“We can say it’s a very painful situation to have a lack of salary for more than four months; some of us have families while some others were admitted to hospitals for injuries,” Mohamed Daa’uud Kheyre, stationed in Burgavo, Lower Juba, told Somalia Report.

He said many soldiers feel the same way, and morale to continue the fight against militant Islamist group al-Shabaab is low. The soldiers feel they have sweated blood, but say the leaders of Somalia and Kenya, which trained some of the militia, have failed fulfill their obligations to front line forces.

On November 16, the TFG forces in Mogadishu received pay after four months of complaining, but the forces outside of the capital have received nothing, they say.

Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Gulled Mohamed (Ahmed Deeq) of the TFG forces in Qoqaani told Somalia Report that bad weather was making it impossible to deliver wages.

“We know as the commanders of the forces that the salary of the soldiers is ready, but the situation we are facing makes it impossible to deliver them” he said.

Heavy rains have stalled the advance of Kenyan and allied forces, with vehicles and troops bogged down in the mud.

Colonel Gulled called for patience, saying they would get their money when it was possible. He added that government force in Gedo got their salaries in September, but didn’t reach Dhobley until mid-October, by which point operations had begun, sending soldiers far out into the front lines.

“Availability of transportation is very hard due to the heavy rains in the region and a lack of secure paths of transport between where the soldiers are engaging their operations,” he said.

A finance officer in Dhobley said August and September’s salaries were available and waiting for delivery.

Since the resignation of former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who was popular with the armed forces for ensuring payments were made, most of the Somali government forces in both the capital and outside have been complaining of the lack of salaries and medical facilities to maintain their operations against al-Shabaab.

-Somalia Report
 
Are Kenyan aware they are engaged in ' real war' ?
Published on 28/11/2011
By Vitalis Musebe
In its first ever-military offensive since Independence, Kenya's defence forces are deep in Somalia in hot pursuit of Al Shabaab militia. By this action, Kenyan troops in the battlefield confront full consequences of war.

The reality is that Kenya is at war and, as some commentators have argued, it is a war that tests not just Kenya's military might and experience in a war situation but also serves as a test case for Kenyans as a people at war.

But do Kenyans really appreciate the fact that their country is actually at war? Are the actions and reactions of Kenyans reflecting this reality?

Are we, as Kenyans, appreciating and behaving as people at war in this Operation Linda Inchi'?

Over a month into this war against the Al Shabaab, it appears to be life as usual for many Kenyans. Politicians are in their usual element crisscrossing the country in their perpetual jostling for attention ahead of next year's general and presidential elections.

A few of those politicians shave deemed it necessary to mention the fact that we are at war.

Crowds continue to gather at those political rallies oblivious of the danger they draw.

In the past week, striking university staff, demanding higher paralysed learning. Now doctors threaten to cripple services in government health institutions. All these at a time of war beg more questions than answers.

Granted that grievances over higher pay for university staff, doctors and indeed other legitimate concerns have to be voiced but isn't the timing wrong!

Churches continue to fill up with worshippers seeking divine nourishment and travellers go about their chores seemingly without the slightest reminder of the dangers that lurk in their midst.

it's anyone's guess
Even after the government declared at the start of the offensive that the head of Al Shabaab was here, Kenyans continue to operate as if everything around them is normal. We are told Al Shabaab has mutated and now camouflage as ordinary people. That makes it easier for this militia to infiltrate the country.

While the government has taken various measures to ensure public safety and security, shouldn't Kenyans bear greater responsibility in this matter? The attitude and conduct of Kenyans across the board leaves little doubt that people are not giving serious attention to their safety in this war situation. Ordinary Kenyans seem to entrust everything to the government's ability to sniff and smoke out Al Shabaab from their midst.

Granted that this war is being fought hundreds of kilometers away from our soil but as the military spokesman major Chirchir has put it, we are at war and war is not a game of football.

A country does not go to war as an experiment. It goes to war to fight an armed external enemy that can inflict as much damage as it receives.

This is why the constitution requires that before we go to war the president has to, "with the approval of Parliament, declare war''.
This war against Al Shabaab is not a rehearsal. It is a real war carrying all the consequences of war, including a huge financial burden not factored in the current budget.

Funds will have to be diverted from elsewhere to finance the war. Between the increase university staff and doctors are demanding and the war, it's anyone's guess where the funds will go. For the doctors, there is added challenge of dedicating their service to the nation at this critical time.

-Writer comments on social and development matters. musebbe@yahoo.com

Source: The Standard | Are Kenyans aware they are engaged in a&
 
Minister comments on if a war started by an aggressor:
Tanzanian East African Co-operation minister Samuel Sitta said his country appended its signature to the report after the Heads of States and Government agreed to amend contentious areas.


"The Heads of State could not sign without negotiations as we had been left out," Mr Sitta told journalists on Wednesday.


For instance, the Summit approved the protocol on co-operation in defence subject to amendment of Article 17 to provide that the partner states shall negotiate and conclude within one year hence a Mutual Defence Pact.


Mr Sitta said Tanzania is against a section in the protocol that requires partner states to assist each other when in war.


"There are circumstances that do not make sense. Why should you help your neighbour when he is the aggressor," Mr Sitta said.

Source :EAC integration on track as Tanzania signs - News |nation.co.ke
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bagamoyo said:
Minister comments on if a war started by an aggressor:
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Hapo waoga utawajua tu. Wakenya wanataka kuwaingiza waTZ mkenge. Safari hii imekula kwao. Ujanja mwingi huharibu maarifa, au kama mhindi asemavyo: janja mingi hapana mpa kazi taibia yeye!
 
Kwani this Tanzanians here think that this EAC thing is a kenyan stuff alone?Now i will try to make you think on this line....suppose tz went to war with SA...do you guys think you can win such a war alone?we need to combine our hands together to defeat an anemy like say EU maybe when another worldwar breaks out.you guys should think right outside the box and imagine something else.if kenya may try to be an agressor am coke-sure we can seat and discuss that and we understand each other.i know this is all about tz's thinking that we might sabotage there economy and land
 
Ulinziguy said:
Kwani this Tanzanians here think that this EAC thing is a kenyan stuff alone?Now i will try to make you think on this line....suppose tz went to war with SA...do you guys think you can win such a war alone?we need to combine our hands together to defeat an anemy like say EU maybe when another worldwar breaks out.you guys should think right outside the box and imagine something else.if kenya may try to be an agressor am coke-sure we can seat and discuss that and we understand each other.i know this is all about tz's thinking that we might sabotage there economy and land
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Safari hii imekula kwenu, ukianzisha vita unatafuta ma allies, huwezi wafungamanisha allies kwa sheria. Mfano wa Sitta ni huu, yawezekana wanania njema lakini hicho kipengele kina vulnability nyingi ambazo wajanja baadae wanaweza zitumia. Hatutaki sheria yenye vijipengo pengo vitakavyoruhusu kutumika kwa manufaa ya watu fulani.
 
MkamaP said:
Safari hii imekula kwenu, ukianzisha vita unatafuta ma allies, huwezi wafungamanisha allies kwa sheria. Mfano wa Sitta ni huu, yawezekana wanania njema lakini hicho kipengele kina vulnability nyingi ambazo wajanja baadae wanaweza zitumia. Hatutaki sheria yenye vijipengo pengo vitakavyoruhusu kutumika kwa manufaa ya watu fulani.
Click to expand...

lets get facts straight, Kenya aint asking for regional military mobilisation/intervention in somalia but humanitarian in nature i.e. food and shelter/tents for tha somalis. somalia doesnt qualify/warrant for such a magnitude in military mobilisations. Its something bigger probably to do with nile pact and lake victoria waters. Military planners are in theater already and Ug is tagging along pretty well. (as things are at the moment we in EA can not mount a force equivalent to Egypt excluding Sudan in our threat matrix in the event of hostilities). About kenya endorsing sudan and tha latter two states disagreeing u can easily understand y. These was crafted out by our EAC technocrats on request by Nairobi. Too much is happening behind the scenes. Kenya cant handle negative publicity while at war, we only had to rely on UG n Tz to shield us n for dat i giv u a thumps up.
 
NSIS Operations A Threat To Kenya
BY PHEROZE NOWROJEE

Is the NSIS controlling Kenya internally under the guise of external security concerns? Are old regime sympathizers in the National Security and Intelligence Service (NSIS), trying to take over Kenya from its elected civilian government? This is a real danger. By the use of false excuses as well as the real threat of external security concerns, NSIS could take control through the back door.

In the current operations the most dangerous threat to Kenya is not the Al- Shabaab. This our military can handle. It is the threat from our own NSIS's operations. These are damaging Kenya's unity and legitimacy. There is danger that they will use accusations of guilt by association with Al-Shabaab against Kenyans who disagree with them politically, or who seek to enforce the Bill of Rights against them. This is a discredited method, condemned the world over. We do not want macarthyism here, nor Kenyans victimized by finger-pointing, nor outside forces instigating and rewarding Kenyans for macarthy-type allegations.

The security apparatus has a bad track record on self-restraint: 1. Last year, they illegally rendered Kenyans to Uganda. The High Court condemned their actions. 2. The year before, they were designing a provincial administration even though the new Constitution had expressly abolished it. 3. They are still doing it, this time under the guise of grouping counties into ‘regions' where they want ‘Regional Commissioners', (who would report only to Internal Security), appointed.

Full article
 
Updated 5 hr(s) 34 min(s) ago 2nd November 2011
By Luke Anami

EAC heads pledge more troops to fight Al Shabaab

Kenya's Operation Linda Nchi received a boost when the East African Community pledged full support to flush out Al Shabaab insurgents.

In a communiquÈ read by the Secretary General, Richard Sezibera immediately after the EAC Heads of State Summit, the States expressed support for Kenya's intervention in Somalia by committing more troops to the African Union-led forces in Somalia.

"The summit welcomes Kenya's intervention in Somalia with the agreement of the Transitional FederalGovernment of Somalia, to safeguard peace, security and stability of the republic of Kenya," Dr Sezibera said.

The summit expressed support for the Kampala peace initiative in Somalia whose implementation involves the African Union, Igad, UnitedNations Peace on Somalia, and the EAC in a joint peace implementation mechanism.

International support

Uganda and Burundi, whose troops are in Mogadishu, pledged more troops with Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza calling for international support.

"We are united in ensuring peace in Somalia where our troops are engaged in seeking peace as we look for ways of increasing troops under AU," President Nkurunziza said.

Addressing the summit, President Kibaki said the success of the community was linked to the state of affairs in the entire region and called for support from regional and international communities.

"The instability in Somalia continues to spill over to the whole region. Indeed, our economies continue to face serious challenges,"

Kibaki said, "I wish to reiterate our call to the UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil to take serious steps towards stabilising Somalia."

He said insecurity in Somalia was an international problem and urged the international community to complement the efforts of regional bodies.

"As we encourage the international community to support the ongoing efforts, I express my gratitude for the support that EAC member states have pledged to Kenya and TFG of Somalia.

He noted that the performance of the intra-EAC trade had increased from about $2 billion in 2004 to three and a half billion US dollars in 2009 – more reason to safeguard peace and create a conducive environment for business to thrive.

Source : The Standard | EAC heads pledge more troops to fight Shabaab&


Kenya stop dragging Tanzania into this mess by using the EAC facade
Click to expand...





 
bagamoyo said:
Updated 5 hr(s) 34 min(s) ago 2nd November 2011
By Luke Anami

EAC heads pledge more troops to fight Al Shabaab

Kenya’s Operation Linda Nchi received a boost when the East African Community pledged full support to flush out Al Shabaab insurgents.

In a communiquÈ read by the Secretary General, Richard Sezibera immediately after the EAC Heads of State Summit, the States expressed support for Kenya’s intervention in Somalia by committing more troops to the African Union-led forces in Somalia.

"The summit welcomes Kenya’s intervention in Somalia with the agreement of the Transitional FederalGovernment of Somalia, to safeguard peace, security and stability of the republic of Kenya," Dr Sezibera said.

The summit expressed support for the Kampala peace initiative in Somalia whose implementation involves the African Union, Igad, UnitedNations Peace on Somalia, and the EAC in a joint peace implementation mechanism.

International support

Uganda and Burundi, whose troops are in Mogadishu, pledged more troops with Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza calling for international support.

"We are united in ensuring peace in Somalia where our troops are engaged in seeking peace as we look for ways of increasing troops under AU," President Nkurunziza said.

Addressing the summit, President Kibaki said the success of the community was linked to the state of affairs in the entire region and called for support from regional and international communities.

"The instability in Somalia continues to spill over to the whole region. Indeed, our economies continue to face serious challenges,"

Kibaki said, "I wish to reiterate our call to the UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil to take serious steps towards stabilising Somalia."

He said insecurity in Somalia was an international problem and urged the international community to complement the efforts of regional bodies.

"As we encourage the international community to support the ongoing efforts, I express my gratitude for the support that EAC member states have pledged to Kenya and TFG of Somalia.

He noted that the performance of the intra-EAC trade had increased from about $2 billion in 2004 to three and a half billion US dollars in 2009 – more reason to safeguard peace and create a conducive environment for business to thrive.

Source : The Standard | EAC heads pledge more troops to fight Shabaab&
Click to expand...

where have you seen us sayin that we need your boots in the front?we are doing a diplomatic offensive to win international support including tanzania.about the military pact its all for the good of us all with the scramble for Nile waters with egypt and sudan with about a total of 500000 soldiers we need to unite to defeat such an enemy.about kenya trying to attack tz then i think you will be the cause for such an attack because we just dont attack someone without a reason eg the migingo saga...we never took military action.so please dont cheat us that we can attack you without a reason you know
 
Askari Kanzu said:
Where is the "tweeting Major" E. Chirchir?
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I think they should have gotten rid of you when you were still a fetus. to quote Jimmy Rebel (Boondocks)
Don't let your nigglets grow up to be niggers, and its obvious yours did.
 
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