10 Al-Shabaab Militants Killed After Ambushing Kenya Army 1 KDF Soldier Passed On

Event Summary

Wednesday, 15th July 2015: Somali based terror group Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, conducted an ambush targeting the Kenya Defense Forces in El-Adde area of Somalia’s Gedo region.

Military Intelligence reports show that terrorists ambushed the Kenya army infantry convoy midday Wednesday. Army troops countered the ambush killing 10 of the enemy combatants.  The ambush was a well drilled event that lasted over 30 minutes. One Kenyan soldier lost his life in the counter-attack

This tactic allows a small, well-trained, disciplined force, with limited weapons and equipment, to destroy much larger enemy forces.

In their strategy the Harakat al- Shabaab al-Mujahideen hopes to reduce AMISOM’s overall combat effectiveness by destruction and harassment of forces.

Analysis:

In recent past, particularly during the month of Ramadhan, the Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement, al-Qaeda’s branch in Somalia, has opted the traditional military tactic of “ambush”.

The militants have well mastered concealment, element of surprise, and most importantly, tactical advantage using geography of theater.

However, its critical to identify Kenya Army’s  (KDF) enduring capability to survive these ambushes resiliently. Military intelligence analysts warn its impossible to survive an ambush since the enemy often deploys with precision, violence, speed, and audacity of execution.

Kenya Army has exhibited resilience against the tactic which attacks morale and effectiveness

Kenya Army (KDF) ranks among the world best armies. Surviving an ambush conducted by a highly versatile  enemy like Harakat al- Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement in Somalia shows that Kenya Defense Forces Infantry Platoons are well versed and trained in tactical standing operating procedures.

Forecast:

These events provide insight on the outcome of the counter-terrorism operation in Southern Somalia where Kenya army focuses its operations against the militants.

Harakat al- Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement Al-Qaeda’s branch in Somalia is likely to  lose more territory to the convectional Kenya Defense Forces.

The militants will increase ambushes on vulnerable AMISOM ttroops.

Harakat al- Shabaab al-Mujahideen has purposed to destroy or capture a moving or temporarily halted AMISOM troops  and equipment.

Kenya Army KDF is likely to scale up its operations in Southern Somalia to reduce the capability of the militants and preempt threats posed by the terror outfit.