Somalia accuses Kenya of targeting civilians

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Somalia accuses Kenya of targeting civilians

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - The government of Somalia has strongly condemned Kenyan airstrikes in Somalia's Gedo region that killed one person and injured five other civilians.

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MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - The government of Somalia has strongly condemned Kenyan airstrikes in Somalia's Gedo region that killed one person and injured five other civilians. In a statement released on Friday, Somalia said that the "indiscriminate" airstrikes have become "standard operating procedure."

"These KDF operations cloaked under a claim of carrying out operations against extremism are undoubtedly conducted in a manner that is bereft of its obligations under the UNSC’s AMISOM mandate,” part of the statement reads.

Somalia has said the way KDF operates in Somalia is becoming provocative and blind as many civilians are targeted in the attacks by the neighbouring country.

The latest airstrikes which killed 2 and wounded 7 civilians including women and children hit villages including Elcadde, Likooley, Laheley, Warburray, Burcaleen, Dhamase, Wargaduudo, Qulqul Shubaal, Balanbaal, Muudale, Abroone, Buursaar cows Qurun and Daru-Salaam..

The horn of Africa nation warned that such reckless attacks on civilian populations will lead communities right into the hands of Al-Shabaab.

"It is becoming increasingly obvious the provocative and indiscriminate manner the KDF conducts operations in Somali under the pretext of fighting extremism will not contribute to the efforts toward stabilising and confronting extremism but only further radicalise communities in support of extremism.”

Somali government said an indiscriminate airstrike by Kenyan forces that took place Thursday in El Adde and Hisa-u-gur in the Gedo region caused death and injuries.

According to Somalia, the deterioration of its ties with Kenya was due to the failure of the Kenyan government to meet the standards expected of the KDF.

"It's regrettable the KDF continues to be under the impression the Status of Mission Agreement (AMA) protects their actions from accountability for the illegal killing of the innocent and the destruction of private property.”

Somalia has now called on AMISOM to fulfill its obligation under paragraph OP18 of the AMISOM Security Council mandate to enhance consistency in reporting on civilian casualties.

Kenya and Somalia had been exchanging accusations since last year when later blamed its neighbouring for trying to interfere with Somalia’s election, a move dismissed by Kenya.