Three Kenyan Soldiers Killed In IED Blast Near Somali Border

Three Kenyan soldiers have been killed in a deadly roadside explosion while on patrol near the country’s eastern border with Somalia, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) confirmed on Tuesday.

The soldiers were part of a routine patrol unit traveling between Sankuri and Kiunga, a coastal town approximately 12 kilometers from the Somali border, when their convoy hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on Tuesday morning.

“Regrettably, three gallant soldiers succumbed to their injuries. These soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice,” the KDF said in an official statement released late Tuesday. The military expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and reaffirmed its commitment to national security.

While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack, the al Qaeda-linked terrorist group al Shabaab made a post on its website referencing a blast in the same region. The group claimed at least two Kenyan soldiers were killed and several others wounded in the incident, though it stopped short of directly claiming responsibility.

Al Shabaab, which operates from southern and central Somalia, has frequently launched cross-border attacks in Kenya in recent years. Security experts believe the group aims to pressure Nairobi into withdrawing its troops from the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The group’s activities have targeted both military and civilian installations, particularly in Kenya’s coastal and northeastern regions, where the porous border and rugged terrain pose significant security challenges.

Kenya has maintained a military presence in Somalia since 2011, when it launched Operation Linda Nchi to combat al Shabaab militants following a series of cross-border kidnappings and attacks. Since then, Kenyan forces have played a key role in stabilizing areas of Somalia under the African Union’s peacekeeping efforts.

Tuesday’s attack is the latest in a series of deadly incidents involving IEDs in the border region, highlighting the persistent threat posed by al Shabaab and the complex security environment faced by both Kenyan and Somali forces.
Authorities say operations have been intensified in the region to track down those responsible for the attack and to prevent further incidents.

As Kenya continues to grapple with terrorism threats in its border regions, the loss of the three soldiers is a stark reminder of the ongoing risks faced by those on the frontline. The government has vowed to continue its mission to secure its borders and protect its citizens from extremist violence.