Kenya warns al-Shabab of bombing by Twitter

[kunadawa]

Kenya's military spokesman has warned the residents of 10 towns in Somalia via Twitter that they "will be under attack continuously".

Maj Emmanuel Chirchir clarified to the BBC that bases of the al-Shabab militia were outside those towns, and that these camps would be their target.

Kenya sent troops into Somalia earlier this month as it blames the Islamist group for a spate of kidnappings.

Al-Shabab, which is in control of most of the south, denies the allegations.

"The Kenya Defence Forces urges anyone with relatives and friends in the 10 towns to advise them accordingly," Maj Chirchir said on his official Twitter account.

He listed nine towns in one of his tweets: Baidoa, Bardhere, Dinsor, Afgoye, Buale, Barawe, Jilib, Kismayo and Afmadow. The town of Baidoa was listed twice.

Maj Chirchir said it was difficult to fit all the information into the 140 characters allowed in a Twitter message.

He told the BBC most al-Shabab bases were on the outskirts of the towns the group controlled.


"We're not attacking towns - I want to make that clear - we're attacking al-Shabab camps - all we're saying is that people in Somalia, [should] avoid being close to al-Shabab camps," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

He said the al-Shabab-controlled towns were targets because they were suspected of receiving weapons from an arms consignment carried in two aircraft that landed in Baidoa on Monday.

He said it was an operational decision and the attacks would begin "any time" from Wednesday.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15547512

[einstein]

Nov 2, 2011 6:57:41 GMT 3 @kunadawa said:

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"We're not attacking towns - I want to make that clear - we're attacking al-Shabab camps - all we're saying is that people in Somalia, [should] avoid being close to al-Shabab camps," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

He said the al-Shabab-controlled towns were targets because they were suspected of receiving weapons from an arms consignment carried in two aircraft that landed in Baidoa on Monday.
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www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15547512

This is a very silly announcement from Chirchir. The Al Shababs are no idiots. Of course they will now shift their camps from the town outskirts to the town centres to get civilian human shields!!

But hey, I ain't no trained soldier. My best shot was at the NYS eons ago.

[b6k]

Kunadawa as strange as it may seem the tweets are also being sent to al Shabaab. It turns out they have a penchant for using Twitter & Facebook for their ops. What twits! It's a big mistake since most of these social sites are not only American but rely on US based servers. Regardless of the language you tweet in you can rest assured certain peoples' comms are highly monitored.

So what's the good general's Twitter address?

[b6k]

Nov 2, 2011 7:30:37 GMT 3 einstein said:

This is a very silly announcement from Chirchir. The Al Shababs are no idiots. Of course they will now shift their camps from the town outskirts to the town centres to get civilian human shields!!

But hey, I ain't no trained soldier. My best shot was at the NYS eons ago.

Einstein give the general some credit for adopting technology. This is a far cry from pamphlets dropped from the air. Seems to me the KE army is demanding civilians leave so the affected areas become ghost towns BEFORE the action commences. Anything roaming around becomes a potential target.

[kunadawa]

Nov 2, 2011 7:30:37 GMT 3 einstein said:

Nov 2, 2011 6:57:41 GMT 3 @kunadawa said:

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"We're not attacking towns - I want to make that clear - we're attacking al-Shabab camps - all we're saying is that people in Somalia, [should] avoid being close to al-Shabab camps," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

He said the al-Shabab-controlled towns were targets because they were suspected of receiving weapons from an arms consignment carried in two aircraft that landed in Baidoa on Monday.
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www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15547512

This is a very silly announcement from Chirchir. The Al Shababs are no idiots. Of course they will now shift their camps from the town outskirts to the town centres to get civilian human shields!!

But hey, I ain't no trained soldier. My best shot was at the NYS eons ago.

Obviously you know nothing about propaganda. Our good friend Chirchir is giving a public warning to Al Sha******* (you can fill in the blanks) and in the process countering in advance the anti-war propagandists

[subsaharanite]

Actually, the message will reach them. There are over 4 million in the diaspora and many of them have relatives still holed up back there. They will call them and pass the message.

[adongo23456]

Everything in this war tells you Kenya has not been at war in our generation. They have had walkovers here and there wiping out whole clans in NE but this army has never handled a real war and one can see that in just about every thing going on around the war.

Started on a huff even though it looks they planned it all along it seems the need to jump on the kidnappings to invade Somalia was so overbearing they just roled in without even working things out with the TFG. They were forced to do that later as they sensed the tensions building up. So they got the two PM's to have a photo op and issue a statement that should have been issued two weeks ago.

The hoopla and bravado where three four ministers and even assistant ministers were running their own wars proved disastrous and has now been replaced with silence. The war now is on remote and then comes General Chirchir who is just hilarious. The other day after Kenyans hit an IDP camp and got themselves into a pickle General Chirichir actually had the humour to tell the whole world that they had hit a loaded technical who then ran into the camp for cover. He thought people may not know the difference between airstrikes and technicals running amok with burning munitions into camps.

Now the good General is asking Somalis, by twitter no less, to stay away from camps so that they can make clean hits on the said camps. Gen. Chirchir is probably not aware that Al Shabaab fighters have access to twitters and their own buddies have the same. In any event what makes Gen. Chirchir think that Al Shabaab fighters most of whom are not in any military uniform will sit quietly at the so called camps and wait to recieve the pay load from Kenyan airstrikes and US drones. They probably have better things to do.

Then we are the hysteria within some members of the public. Some have resorted to wrapping themselves in the patriotic flag and labelling those who question the logic or even the haphazard execution of the war as anti-Kenya and spewing everything else in between. May be they think that can help win the war. Not to be left behind is the chorus of "our men and women in uniform". You would think these are their own children at war and not Kenyans from every community in Kenya. We will learn.

[einstein]

Al Shabaab to use human shields


By Standard Reporter and Agencies

Al Shabaab plans to use civilians as human shields in some of the 10 towns targeted for attack by the Kenya Defence Forces, and many are now living in fear.

The militia is preventing civilians in the towns from leaving and fear has gripped many as they await possible air strikes.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said on Tuesday it planned "imminent" air raids on militant bases and warned residents to stay clear of them.

"Al Shabaab ordered us to stay and die at the hands of Kenya, to dwell in paradise," Abdikadir Weydow, a resident of the southern Somali town of Afmadow, told Reuters.

Afmadow, a rebel bastion and strategic transit point for contraband smuggled through rebel-controlled Kismayu port, is seen as a likely flashpoint for a confrontation between Kenyan forces and Al Shabaab militants.

Kenyan and Somali Government troops, as well as militia nominally allied to Somali Government, have set up forward positions close to Afmadow.

In numerous other towns, including Baardheere, Baidoa, and Afgoye, many people were preparing to escape, hoping to lie low in the bush or reach the Kenyan frontier.

"We are determined to flee to the jungle. We cannot stay in a town which is to be bombed," said Baardheere resident, Yusuf Guled.

Others too poor to afford transport, or with elderly relatives, were hunkering down, bracing for an aerial assault.

"The roads are muddy and I am with my aged parents who cannot travel. We have to turn a deaf ear to Kenya’s air strike (warning) come what may," said Filsan Osman by telephone from Baidoa, about 270km northwest of Mogadishu.

Military spokesperson Emmanuel Chirchir told Reuters on Tuesday its forces would not target civilians, but warned they needed to stay away from rebel bases to avoid being caught up in the bombardments.

Kismayu resident Hawa Ali Yusuf welcomed Kenya’s incursion to rout the insurgents from southern Somalia, but urged the KDF to refrain from dropping bombs.

Meanwhile Al Shabaab is adopting guerrilla-style and terror tactics against Kenyan soldiers and innocent civilians, even as it continues to receive planeloads of weapons.

Attackers believed to be members of the militant group fired two rocket-propelled grenades into a guesthouse in El Wak, Mandera, on Wednesday damaging the walls of the building.

There were about 10 guests in the rooms at the time of the incident. Internal Security Minister George Saitoti told Parliament on Wednesday no one was injured in the incident.

News of the attack came as a third planeload of weapons landed in Baidoa on Wednesday.

The plane followed another consignment of arms that arrived on Saturday.

"We’ve had a positive confirmation that there was another landing of another aircraft with weapons," Major Chirchir said.

"Our troops will not be cowed at all by this armament. We are prepared and our mission would go ahead as planned," he added, noting: "We have all it takes and what is required in the battlefield, we would hit the targets as planned."

He said that Al Shabaab fighters had attacked a KDF convoy inside southern Somalia late Tuesday, but denied claims the terrorists had caused heavy Kenyan casualties and destroyed military trucks.

"Our troops were headed to Tabto from Liboi and they confronted four armed Al Shabaab militants near the border," Chirchir said.

Insurgents ran

"There was an exchange of fire and the insurgents ran towards a forest, it was dark and our commander on the ground advised against venturing there because it could be a trap."

Police and El Wak locals said the attack on the guesthouse happened at 5am on Wednesday. The police, for further analysis, later collected shells from the grenades to determine the type.

The attackers also shot bullets at the building damaging the windows. Police said they collected spent cartridges of an AK 47 rifle, and a G3 from the scene.

"Fortunately no one was injured in the attack and the attackers whom we believe are remnants of the militant group escaped soon after. They are being pursued," said a senior officer in the area.

One of the grenades hit the walls of the guesthouse while the other one landed on a wall of a neighbouring house.

The attack followed an earlier one by suspected Al Shabaab militants visited on Amuma Police Post in Garissa County, on Monday night.

Police said its Rural Border Patrol Unit based in Lagdera Division, has 15 officers and no one was injured. However, some of the officers were out on patrol during the attack.

Saitoti said the officers who were on duty repulsed the attackers, who used a rocket-propelled anti-tank weapon to blow up officers’ tents.

Police said they had been expecting an attack given the location of the post and were ready to defend themselves.

Four Government officials were last week killed in the area in a similar attack when suspected Al Shabaab militants ambushed them as they transported Kenya Certificate of Education examination papers.

The attackers escaped after throwing a grenade into the officials’ vehicle. Saitoti said the attackers were Al Shabaab followers and they are still pursuing them.

Meanwhile, Eritrea has denied media reports that said it had delivered weapons Al Shabaab rebels.

"The Government states categorically that these accusations are pure fabrications and outright lies as Eritrea has not sent any arms to Somalia," Reuters quoted Eritrea’s Foreign Ministry.

"Tuesday’s baseless accusations are the latest product of a misinformation campaign orchestrated to undermine Eritrea and frustrate its constructive regional and international engagement."

Media reports in Kenya and Somalia claimed Eritrea had sent two aircraft with weapons to help the Al Qaeda-linked rebels.

www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000046076&cid=4&ttl=Al%20Shabaab%20to%20use%20human%20shields

[foresight]

OUR MILITARY INTELLIGENCE IS NOT INFERIOR, NEITHER IS OUR KDF WEAK!! THE PROFESSIONALISM SO FAR IS AWESOME.

Here is something about our Military..

The Kenya Defence Forces are the armed forces of the Republic of Kenya. The Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Air Force comprise the national Defence Forces (source- Wikipedia)

The military enjoys, in general, a good reputation. It is regularly deployed in peace-keeping missions around the world and generally commended for its professionalism. 

(Source- Intelligencebrief.com)

Across the East and Central African region, Kenya remains the most militarily powerful country. This is based on its capabilities including assets and resources at disposal besides human resources.

Latest acquisitions particularly long range surface to surface missiles SSM and surface to air missiles SAM has bolstered its capability to strike enemies strategic military positions. 

Another major boost to its capability was the acquisition of a new fleet of F-5 –Tiger strategic fighter jets. These, albeit commonplace perception they are old, are upgraded 1989 Northrop editions, hence superior. 

They have speed and precisions besides modern radar and an anti-aircraft fire detection
and evasion system, in simple words. The new fleet totals 25 and will back up another 18. all in compact condition. On Yearly basis, Kenya has been building up its infantry. Annually, 6000 troops are trained and the cadet school recruits hundreds of military aviators. 

As such, annually, an estimated 8,000 join the military. The military intelligence and the defense training college in Karen is a hub for senior military officials where strategy and geopolitics are assessed.

 Besides, the Kenyan military is disciplined well trained, and engaged in corporate social responsibility.

Military threats facing Kenya hardly suffice to be high level let alone raise a major threat to the country sovereignty.

 A case scenario is Uganda and Somalia. 

The Ugandan regime has an expansionist doctrine that has seen them eye specific locales across Lake Victoria. Militarily, Kenya has the capacity to fed off Uganda both using flak and flank but there has never been any troop’s movement or deployment to insinuate Kenya’s military response to such a threat. 

Along the border with Uganda, tribal militia-like communities keep moving in and out of either country or joint disarmament exercises.

Latest Military Realignment and Acquisitions in Uganda

Uganda spent billions of Ugandan shillings to acquire Russian fighter aircraft besides upgrading its infantry technical capability. Latest acquisition of Sukhoi fighter jets

Uganda, based on current threat matrix analysis poses a significant military threat based on two pronged factors. 

Its recent military upgrades including the acquisition of six sukhoi-20 mk2 fighter aircraft that are rated as top of the range fighters and the discovery of oil in the country is disturbing

It is right for Uganda to up its air defenses and upgrade its military technical capability based on its rising economic fortunes and the arising need to keep such resources safe. 

On the other hand, geopolitics force Kenyan oil rich north to remain an unexploited oil reserve but rising energy costs and Ugandan oil requires balancing the act.

Migingo and Ugingo Island issues are geopolitical and a big issue all together. Kenyan military strategists and their intelligence counterparts have for a awhile now sought a way out without considering a military strike on Uganda owing to the fact that the F-5E cannot match sukhoi-20 mk2 fighter which Museveni is desperate to use. Instead, the NSIS proposed top-secret acquisitions of superior fighter aircraft. 

According to a series of defense, meetings between Kenyan air force officials, and agreed to seek which among US 35- F-15 fighter aircrafts should be delivered to cushion Kenyan against the increasing threat from her neighbors.

Besides the F-15, the country has already acquired 50 z-9w attack helicopters from China and another fleet of Harbin gunship attack helicopters.

 In continuum for the rising levels of threat and powerful enemy flak, the NSIS along Military intelligence have been talking for sellers of F-15, JF-17, and Mi35 gunships to up the Kenya air force and diversify its technical and tactical capability.

Regional Balance Necessitates More Military Spending in Kenya
Kenya ranks 40 in military spending globally. 

However, the defense expenditure is warranted given the strategic position of Kenya in the region besides its strategic importance to Britain, Israel, and United States. 

The same scenario now applies to the Chinese. 

Massive infrastructure upgrades and construction in Kenya have been the responsibility of the Chinese since 2005 when President Kibaki began specific economic reforms in the country. 

Defense expenditure plans have been cushioned from publicity besides keeping the clandestine due to the sensitive nature of arms info that can prompt an arms race in the region. 

There is also the issue of Kenyan security pact with Ethiopia, which shields both from armed conflicts. 

Southern Sudan military, a rebel outfit without discipline is now being trained and equipped by the Kenya army. 

Kenya main fear lies within Khartoum, Uganda, and Somalia.

Sudan has sought to repress the Juba regime and now that cessation was confirmed, keeping Khartoum away by building an army in the South besides adequately arming it is sensible and a long-term strategy. 

The theatre of the complex matrix of this threat compounds when type of arms comes to focus. 

Training pilots is expensive and cumbersome and the Southern Sudanese are not yet ready to fly an F-5E, an Instrument Kenya desperately wants to give them. 

Khartoum has MIGs, latest editions, besides a long-range facility that is producing a sizeable amount of surface to air and surface-to-surface missiles. 

The target would be Juba and Kenya since Kenya is the Juba proxy.

Ugandan oil and visits by President Museveni in the recent past has prompted the war-happy Museveni to acquire armor and air defense including the 6-Sukhoi from Russia. 

Museveni has since then felt confident enough to try Kenyan military by taking two islands, a geopolitical dilemma for Kenya. Kenya will only respond once the 35-F-15 from the United States are delivered and tested. 

The United States stopped using the F-15 after unverified mechanical-and system problems caused crashes during recent mock action. 

With Kenya one of the world’s most secretive army besides spending massively annually, it is yet to be verified what exactly has been acquired, disposed, or upgraded. 

Such information surfaces two or more years after it is done and the detail is scanty.

Somali’s extremists seek to expand their communal presence across the borders of Somalia, meaning Kenyan and Ethiopia will be annexed. 

Preparing an army that is well equipped and with sufficient intelligence framework to counter the threat is an urgent need. 

With a larger army today, and a fleet of armored vehicles/humvees, more land rovers, hundreds of Steyers, hundreds of main battle tanks with better armor, thousands of rockets, hundreds of missiles, a fleet of F-15 Eagles, Chinook attack helicopters, Harbins gunships, MD 500s, besides missile launchers, among many new and modern weaponry, Kenya is balancing the act and tilting the power balance to its favor as usual.