Kenya's Offensive Against al Shabaab in Somalia

Kenyan military forces are reportedly fighting Oct. 18 for control of the Somali town of Afmadow, two days after Kenya began an offensive against Somali Islamist militant group al Shabaab. A recent spate of kidnappings and killings committed by Somalis in Kenyan territory triggered the invasion, though al Shabaab has denied responsibility for the acts. Nonetheless, after years of rumors that Kenya planned to militarily establish a buffer zone to contain the al Shabaab threat emanating from Somalia, it appears that the process has now begun. It is not yet clear, however, whether Kenyan forces intend to push all the way to the coastal city of Kismayo, one of al Shabaab's main strongholds.