Kenya army troops will join African Union force in Somalia to fight islamists militant 0811122

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Defense News - Kenya
 
 

Thursday, December 8, 2011, 09:29 AM
 
Kenya army troops will join African Union force in Somalia to fight islamists militant.
Kenya's parliament has approved the integration of government troops in Somalia into the African Union (AU) force fighting militant Islamists. Kenya would now expect its operation to be financed by the AU or United Nations.
     
Kenya's parliament has approved the integration of government troops in Somalia into the African Union (AU) force fighting militant Islamists. Kenya would now expect its operation to be financed by the AU or United Nations.
Kenyan and American military members plan an exercise during five weeks of civil-military operations training in Manda Bay, Kenya.
(Photo Credit U.S Army)
     

The decision comes after the AU last week asked Kenyan troops to join its 9,000-strong force in Somalia to battle al-Qaeda-linked group, al-Shabab. The parliament's decision shows that Kenya wants to be part of regional initiatives to tackle al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda

The AU has about 9,000 troops in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.

Kenya already has troops in Somalia pursuing al-Shabab which it blames for a spate of recent abductions.

Al-Shabab denies the allegation that it is behind kidnappings in Kenya and says it views the presence of Kenyan troops in southern Somalia as an act of war.