Govt. plans offensive against Islamist militants in coastal forest

chika ebuzor

September 8, 2015 6:39 AM

Al Shabaab, which has lost territory inside Somalia following offensives by African Union troops, has claimed responsibility for a spate of attacks in the area.

Jubbaland forces carry their ammunitions during a security patrol against Islamist al Shabaab militants in Bulagaduud town, north of Kismayu, Somalia, August 17, 2015. REUTERS/Abdiqani Hassan

A police official said on Monday, Kenya planned to launch a military offensive against Islamist militants who have set up bases in a remote forest at the northern tip of its Indian Ocean coastline bordering Somalia.

Frederick Ndambuki, commissioner of Kenya's Lamu county said Somalia's al Shabaab group had carried out attacks along its northern coast before retreating to hideouts in Boni forest.

"We want to ensure the forest is safe and that no criminals are using it as a hideout to plan evil against our people," Ndambuki said.

The group claimed it was meant to pressure Nairobi to pull its contingent in the mission out of Somalia.

chika ebuzor