On 10th September 2019, around 1430Hrs EAT, the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) killed 14 heavily armed militants belonging to the Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia, Harakat Shabaab Mujahideen (HSM) after the terror group conducted an ambush targeting the security forces at Elram, a border trading village in Mandera prefecture of NEP Kenya. 2 Kenyan soldiers and 2 ASTU personnel succumbed to injuries and were declared KIA by medics. The troops, part of a JTF that secures the border with Somalia came under attack by approximately 35 terrorists armed with AK47 assault rifles, RPG’s, and PKM machine guns.
Ambush on Patrol Team
The Kenyan Border Patrol was on regular patrol between Elram and Falama when approximately 35 militants opened machine gun fire reinforced with multiple rocket propelled grenades at the troop’s vehicles destroying some of the vehicles and critically injuring some of the occupants. Army troops using a tactical vehicles opened rapid machinegun fire at the direction of the militants and managed to dislodge 3 gunners who were manning the main heavy machinegun fire position. Another tactical vehicle gunner took out 2 RPG gun positions and killed both RPG gunners. The team managed to successfully disembark from the vehicles, some which had taken heavy RPG fire.
An Army trooper opened fire at a group of 6 enemy combatants who were attempting to establish a new machinegun position and successfully killed another 4 of the militants. Outgunned, the militants began to fall back towards the direction of Albabilo Hills where they had come from. Army troops attacked the militants again killing 6 of the fleeing attackers. The counter-ambush operation was swift and successful further demonstrating the Army Troops capability to tactically maneuver against the enemy and turn around deadly encounters to military success despite heavy and reinforced attacks.
Intelligence by S.I confirms that one enemy combatant died at Cowsqurun area of restive Somalia where he tried to seek medical care. 7 others succumbed to gunshot injuries and died in the hills. The 7 bodies are still lying in the bushes at Albabilo Hills. Several other combatants are getting treated at Cowsqurun in Somalia after they sustained injuries. Military Forces have been deployed in the general area to conduct mop up operations.
