By Fred Mukinda
Three Kenyan youths are among Al-Shabaab terrorists captured while fighting government forces in Puntland.
It is believed they
are among many youths who have been reported missing from their homes
after being lured to join the terrorist organizations.
During the fight 100 Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and 59 others belonging to various nationalities arrested.
The three Kenyans were identified as Abdullahi Arbow Mohamed, Idiris Muse Jirow and Yusuf Qabiro Makoma.
Puntland is a
semi-autonomous State in North Somalia and Al-Shabaab have been
launching attacks in the area that has over the years enjoyed relative
peace.
RECRUITMENT NETWORK
A police report in
February revealed that Al-Shabaab have established a recruitment network
that lures gullible youths with promises of money, a car and wives.
The syndicate has roots in Mombasa and spreads to Isiolo, Nairobi and Lamu counties.
Primary and secondary schools were the main targets of the network operated by radical clerics.
The identities of
the youngsters was discovered barely two days after a Kenyan was killed
alongside six other Al-Shabaab commanders in Somalia.
Sheikh Mansur was the chief trainer of the Somalia terrorist organization.
COMMANDERS KILLED
Others killed are
the head of Aminiya, Al-shabaab's intelligence wing in lower Shabelle
Hassan Ali Dole, a Yemeni bomb expert Abu Islam, the commander of Leego
region Aden Bale and the "Judge" of Janaale region Mohamed Abribao.
In a statement, African Union Mission in Somalia said the commanders were killed in separate incidents in the last three days.
"Al-Shabaab are
more frequently resorting to hit and run tactics to avoid direct contact
with AMISOM and remain relevant," said the Contingent's Commander in
Sector 1 Brigadier General Sam Okiding.
"Operations to open
the Main Supply Route to the town of Janaale and clear Improvised
Explosive Devices (IEDs) continue and have now extended into the town.
The clearance activities are meant to ease the movement of the
population and goods," the statement released on Thursday added.
Sheikh Mohamed Ali who was second in command in Janaale was also killed.
Another commander Abdirashir Bugdube was killed earlier.
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has over 4,000 troops fighting the terrorists in Somalia.
Other countries with troops there are Burundi, Uganda, Ethiopia and Djibouti.
The Amisom force has over 20,000 troops in the war torn country.
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