Somalia reiterates Kenya support after deadly terror attack

Monday, May 27, 2013
By ABDULKADIR KHALIF

Somalia's Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon

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Somalia Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said on Sunday that his country is committed to fighting terrorism together with Kenya on either side of their border.

Mr Shirdon was speaking in the wake of a terrorist attack in Garissa, northern Kenya in which six people including two police officers were killed after a five-hour gun battle with an estimated 30 heavily-armed militia men.

Later in the day, a Twitter posting believed to be from Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility.
“We completely condemn this action against innocent civilians and police officers and send our condolences to the families of those killed,” he said.

The Al-Qaeda linked Islamists said on Twitter that "a small unit of mujahedeen (holy warriors) attacked the Kenyan police post.”

The premier said the Somali government is deeply grateful to the Kenyan people and their government for the support they have provided Somalia in the fight against terrorism.

He added: "They (Kenyans) have paid a high price for their support and we are determined that this will not be in vain."

Valuable role

He reiterated that Kenya has also played an extremely valuable political role in supporting the expansion of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and for that the Somali government was very appreciative.
The government leader added that the regional governments (members of the Intergovernmental Agency on Development – IGAD) were united in their support to build a stable and secure Horn of Africa.

“What we see from the attack against Kenyan police is the same thing we see in all the actions of Al-Shabaab. Death and destruction are the only things on their agenda.”

The premier said country's partnership with Kenya remains strong and unflinching in the face of such action. "Be in no doubt: it is the public’s desire for peace and greater prosperity, not the tyranny of the terrorists that ultimately will prevail,” he said.

Kenya deployed thousands of troops to Somalia in October 2011 in hot pursuit of Al-Shabaab militants accused of endangering the East African country’s security and economy following a wave of kidnapping of foreign tourists.

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