Senior Kenya Defence Force officers are
concerned al Shabaab terrorists are escaping into Kenya as the operation
to rout the insurgents from Somalia gains momentum. Intelligence
reports indicate the al Qaeda-linked insurgents have been seen heading
to Dadaab refugee camp and towards Kiunga, Kiwayu and Lamu islands.
"They are escaping to Kiwayu and Lamu and they are being accommodated by
the locals before those who have passports board flights and escape
from the country. We also have information that some are heading towards
Dadaab where they lay down arms only to mingle and disappear within the
refugee camp. But that is an internal matter that has to be dealt with
by the Internal security organs," a senior military officer said.
The concern comes as after reports revealed most foreign fighters
within the al Shabaab ranks have been fleeing to Yemen. Meanwhile, 11
Kenyans are among recruits inducted into and fighting for the Ras
Kamboni Brigade led by Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Islam, aka Madhobe, in the
Juba area.
Abdinasir Sheikh, a Garissa resident, is one such recruit who has
been fighting with the brigade for the last nine months. The lanky young
man, who dons the jungle green tunic of the Ras Kamboni brigade and can
pass for a Somalia national, comfortably mingles with KDF soldiers as
he chats to journalists in sheng and Kiswahili.
Abdinasir, who tried to join KDF and the administration police thrice
and failed in 2003, resolved to join Ras Kamboni brigade. He said many
Kenyans have been dragged into the conflict, some of whom have been
killed especially in the Elwak area. "There are many Kenyans fighting in
al Shabaab and within Ras Kamboni and TFG. There are about 10 Kenyans
who are with Ras Kamboni Brigade in this area but i also know that
several others are in al Shabaab. TFG has several Kenyans who were
recruited in Mandera and trained in Manyani before they were deployed in
Somalia," Abdinasir said in an interview in Afmadhow last week.
The young man, whose mother and brother live in Nairobi, said he was
recruited and trained by Ethiopians for four months before being
deployed to fight against al Shabaab in Bardere, Jaldas and Dhoble.
Abdinasir said he earns enough to cater for his two children who live
with their aunt...via
The Star (Nairobi)
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