Kenya Defense Forces on Tuesday night killed at least 13 Al-Shabaab militants along the Kenya-Somalia border, intelligence sources have confirmed.
The militants, the intelligence sources say, were crossing over from Somalia to Kenya at Hola-Wajeer area, without Southern Jubaland.
During the clash with Kenyan forces, he adds, two vehicles belonging to the Al-Shabaab militants were destroyed by an airstrike.
"13 members of terror group Al-Shabaab have been killed near the Kenyan border. The group was heading into the country. Two vehicles; a Suzuki and Toyota Landcruiser (Technical) destroyed.
"It happened atHola-Wajeer area of Badhadhe District of southern Lower Jubba Region of Somalia and a few kilometers away from the Kenya-Somalia border," said the officer privy to the the latest strike against Al-Shabaab.
The attack comes barely a week after Al-Shabaab commander Ahmed Umar warned Kenya against meddling in the Indian Ocean maritime dispute.
Moments after issuing the warning, the militants raided a military base few kilometers South of Mogadishu killing over 23 freshly trained Somali National Army members.
“A mujahid driving a suicide car bomb first hit the base and then armed mujahideen stormed the base, we killed 23 military soldiers,” said Abdiasis Abu Musab, Al Shabaab’s military operations spokesman.
He added the fighters had taken military vehicles and weapons from the base, including anti-aircraft guns.
The assault began when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into the base in El Salini, 60 kilometres (37 miles) southwest of Mogadishu, at around 5:30 am local time, Al-Shabaab said.
The Tuesday attack also comes few hours before Jubaland state postponed inauguration of KDF ally Sheikh Islam Ahmed Madobe as the president following animosity with federal government.
Somalia accused KDF of imposing Madobe to the people of Jubaland. The former Ras Kamboni Brigade commander has been instrumental in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
Thursday's inauguration was postponed after Mogadishu suspended flights to Kismayo Airport. President Uhuru Kenyatta is among leaders who congratulated Madobe following August victory.
Al-Shabaab militants have been antagonising the country along the border and in the process, security forces have repulsed many attacks besides killing a host of militants.
Ever since the militants attacked a police station at Yumbis in Garissa, the source, who is not allowed to speak on behalf of KDF says, security forces have been on a high alert along the border.
Early this month, five security officers were killed in Mandera following an Al-Shabaab rocket propelled grenade attack. Three KDF officers and two policemen were killed.