Blunder in the conflict between Kenya and Al-Shabaab

(BRUSSELS2) At least seven Kenyan fishermen are presumed dead, killed by the Kenyan navy last Friday (4 November). A dozen fishermen had left Mombasa. Spotted by the Kenyan navy which patrols along the Somali coast, they were questioned overnight from Thursday to Friday, then released, having been able to prove their quality as fishermen, according to testimonies from survivors and their families. But then as they were leaving, from the Kiunga area near Ras Kamboni to the Somali border, they were machine-gunned. Several fishermen jumped into the water, but only three were able to get back to shore.

The Kenyan forces do not recognize these facts, according to the daily The Nation. Major Chirchir, spokesman, even gives another version: “ the military asked the ship to stop. But it continued to approach the ships at high speed. The sailors then responded. (…) We believe that several (Al Shabab) militants were on board. "And the soldier to call" the population to report to the police any person who would be treated for gunshot wounds”. The Kenyan army has thus admitted to having sunk two boats. But she believes that they were "enemies" filled with Al Shabab militants (more than a dozen are said to have died, she admits).

The Kenyan authorities have declared the entire area close to the Somali and Kenyan coasts a "safe zone", prohibiting all navigation.