Kenya to deploy 4,600 soldiers in Somalia
March 13th, 2012 - 5:14 am ICT by IANSNairobi, March 13 (IANS) Kenya will deploy 4,660 soldiers in Somalia as part of the Africa Union peacekeeping force, a top official said Monday.
Chief of defence forces General Julius Karangi said a military council will be formed in Mogadishu that will have staff from Kenya and other African nations.
“Since we moved into Somalia last year, we have not seen incidents of sea piracy. I must say we have managed to create a fairly safe buffer in Somalia,” Karangi said.
“Our ability to deal with the enemy in Somalia is not diminished in any way. We will still pursue them on air, land and sea,” Xinhua quoted Karangi as saying.
The Kenyan soldiers battling Somali militants are due to formally join the 54-member African Union peacekeeping force (AMISOM) this week.
- Two Ugandan military helicopters crash-land in Kenya - Aug 13, 2012
- US says backing Kenya's military operation in Somalia - Oct 28, 2011
- 17 killed in Mogadishu fighting - Jun 03, 2011
- Somali rebel leader calls for more attacks on peacekeeping forces - Sep 21, 2009
- 9,000 displaced in Somalia violence - May 27, 2012
- Politicians among 60 dead in Somalia clashes (Second Lead) - Aug 24, 2010
- 10 politicians among 42 dead in Somalia clashes (Lead) - Aug 24, 2010
- African Union calls for military aid to Somalia - Sep 19, 2009
- UN condemns Somalia suicide attack - Oct 05, 2011
- 23 killed, dozens injured in Somalia fighting - Jun 03, 2010
- Drone crashes near Somalia refugee camp - Feb 04, 2012
- 10 dead in suicide blast at Mogadishu airport - Sep 09, 2010
- Al-Qaeda linked group claims Mogadishu suicide blasts - Sep 10, 2010
- Four peacekeepers killed in Somalia - Aug 30, 2010
- Somali Jihadis launch online news channel to promote terrorist propaganda - Jul 31, 2010
Tags: africa, african nations, defence forces, land and sea, militants, military council, mogadishu, nairobi, peacekeeping force, sea piracy, somalia, xinhua