At least two top Al-Shabaab commanders were on Sunday killed in a US engineered airstrike at Jilib town in Somalia, reports have indicated.
The progress comes amid increased attacks on Kenyan soil by the Al-Shabaab militants, with the latest attack coming on Saturday at Wajir where a landmine killed seven officers.
Jilib town is found in Jubba, an area that is manned by Kenya Defense Forces under AMISOM. The region has enjoyed relative peace in the past due to presence of Kenyan troops.
"US military conducted two new airstrikes in Jilib town area, Middle Jubba region on June 16 killing two Al-Shabaab militants - @USAfricaCommand. Local sources say one of the individuals targetted was a senior militant official," reported Harun Maruf, VOA journalist.
Al-Shabaab attacked a village in Wajir a day before the airstrike, abducting three National Police Reservists. In the process of pursuing the militants, seven officers were killed by a landmine planted by the militants.
“The officers were on a routine patrol when the unfortunate incident happened, two officers survived the attack and are being treated at Wajir County Referral Hospital while two others are still missing,” said Loyford Kibaara, Wajir County Commissioner.
He said more security officers had been deployed along the Kenya-Somalia border as the search for the missing officers continues. The officers have since been traced.
“I ask the members of public to volunteer information on Al-Shabaab militants whereabouts,” he said.