Kenyan forces in first clash

[Bosonic]

Source: SMH

Kenyan forces killed at least nine al-Shabab fighters in their first engagement with the al-Qaeda-linked militia since starting an incursion into Somalia 13 days ago, the army said.

Two Kenyan soldiers were injured, one critically, in the fighting that took place on Thursday near Tabda, about 470 kilometres south-west of the Somalian capital, Mogadishu, Major Emmanuel Chirchir, spokesman for the Kenya Defence Forces, said in a statement. The Somalia towns of Busar and Buarahache were captured and an al-Shabab logistical and training camp at Anole was also attacked, he said.

Movements by Kenya's military were being impeded by heavy rains, Major Chirchir said.

Kenyan soldiers entered neighbouring Somalia last week after accusing al-Shabab of kidnapping tourists and aid workers in Kenya. Al-Shabab denied any involvement in the kidnappings and vowed to carry out reprisal attacks against Kenya. This week, two bomb blasts in Nairobi killed one person and injured 28 people in attacks the government said were inspired by al-Shabab


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/kenyan-forces-in-first-clash-20111028-1mo7x.html