KDF Troops Capture Al-Shabaab’s Main Stronghold in Southern Somalia, Bardheere

Highlight

• The Kenyan military entered Bardheere town on 22^nd July 2015, thereby ending seven-years of Al-Shabaab rule in the town; and styming Al-Shabaab ascendancy in Southern Somalia, especially in Gedo and Lower Jubba regions which border the Kenyan counties of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Lamu.

Fall of Bardheere

On 22^nd July 2015, KDF troops along with their Somali allies captured the town of Bardheere, after Al-Shabaab jihadists and a major section of the population abandoned the area. The capture comes after days of intense battles between the jihadists and the Kenyan military, with KAF (Kenyan Air Force) providing aerial support and serving as a reconnaissance asset. KDF entry into the town marks an end to a 7 years old reign of terror which began when Al-Shabaab captured the town from government troops in 2008.

Styming Al-Shabaab Ascendancy

In recent weeks, Al-Shabaab has conducted high profile combat raids on AMISOM bases and Somali government military outposts in Southern Somalia, with the Leego tragedy being the most audacious, disruptive and catastrophic. The Jihadists have also ambushed – and still continue to ambush – Ethiopian troops in Bakool, Bay, Gedo, and Lower Shabelle regions of Somalia.

Nonetheless, the fall of the terror group’s main operational headquarters to Kenyan troops will definitely stymie their ascendancy in Southern Somalia, and this particular successful operation by KDF will mark the most critical event in the recently announced Operation Jubba Corridor whose chief objective is to expel the jihadists from Gedo and Jubba regions of Somalia.

This update and analysis was created by Avraham ben Adam