This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
On May 16, 2020, Kenyan soldiers under the African Union Mission to Somalia successfully foiled a planned attack by Al Shabaab militants on a Somalia National Army camp in Bilis Qoo-qani, a town in the Afmadow district of the Lower Juba region of southern Somalia.
According to Colonel Zipporah Kioko, Kenya Defence Forces Spokesperson, 20 militants attacked the camp from three directions, but were met with fierce resistance from the Kenyan soldiers.
Five militants were killed in the ensuing battle, and five AK47 rifles were recovered by the Kenyan forces.
Colonel Kioko stated, "KDF will continue to work closely with SSF in support of operations to restore peace and reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab. Additionally, KDF will continue to build the capacity of SSF as well as assist them in stabilization, reconciliation and peace building in Somalia."
The Kenyan Defence Forces have forward operating bases in 10 other towns apart from Bilis Qooqani, which came under attack.
