Kenyan forces say 52 Al-Shabab fighters killed in Lower Juba

Colonel Joseph Owuoth, spokesman for Kenya Defence Forces, said the attack happened in Badhaadhe town of Lower Juba.

“The intelligence led operation was executed after surveillance assets sighted Al-Shabab terrorist concentration on the location. Ground troops supported by mortar and artillery fire were employed to neutralize the camp thereafter,” the statement said.

“Following the operation, the initial assessment indicates that 52 terrorists were killed while others fled with injuries.”

Rifles, three improvised explosive devices and bomb making materials were recovered in the assault, according to Colonel Joseph Owuoth.

The account could not immediately be independently confirmed.

Kenyan forces began an invasion into southern Somalia in 2011 to fight al-Shabaab, which continue to carry out cross-border raids in areas including northeastern Kenya.