Al-Shabaab Vows More Attacks in Kenya if KDF stays in Somalia

The group added that Kenya is now more vulnerable to attacks than it was in 2011 when KDF crossed into Somalia for an operation dubbed "Linda Nchi" in response to kindnappings.

News Keydmedia Online
28 August 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda's East Africa branch has called on the President-elect of Kenya, William Ruto, to withdraw his country's troops from Somalia.

A new statement, Al-Shabaab said that after 11 years opperation, the Kenyan defence forces [KDF] have not succeeded in any of the objectives of their inavasion of Somalia.

Al-Shabaab said that if the new Kenyan president does not withdraw KDF from Somalia, the group will directly target the major key centers inside Kenya with bomb and gun attacks.

If the newly elected government persists on its war path and unjust invasion of Somalia,  Al-Shabaab vows to strike not only at the occupying forces but also inside the heart of Kenya," said the statement.

The group added that Kenya is now more vulnerable to attacks than it was in 2011 when KDF crossed into Somalia for an operation dubbed "Linda Nchi" in response to kindnappings.

The militant has previously carried out various attacks in Kenya, such as the September 2013 attack on the Westgate shopping mall and the April 2015 attack on Garrisa University.

During the August 9 election, security was beefed up in major cities and other country’s regions near the Somalia border that are prone to extremist raids, the Kenya's police said.

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