al-Katāi'b Media presents a new statement from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn: "On Kenya's Invasion and Claims of Kidnappings"

Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen hereby categorically denies all charges pertaining to the kidnapping of tourists and aid workers from inside Kenya. The allegations put forward by the Kenyan authorities with regard to the recent kidnappings are, at best, unfounded and, apart from the mere conjectural corroborations, not substantiated with any verifiable evidence. They are not in any way, shape or form attributable to Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen.
The Kenyan authorities have for a long period of time been aggressively seeking to enter Somalia and the allegations that Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen poses a significant threat to the Kenyan population simply acts as a flimsy pretext for the Kenyan military’s incursion into the Somali border. Kenya has been forcibly recruiting refugees and training militia along the border for several years and has also been heavily involved in Somalia’s political affairs – both internal and external. The recent incursion of Kenyan troops into Somali territory, however, not only highlights Kenya’s imprudence in sending her non combat-tested troops to become entangled in Somalia’s intricate web of war, but also a wilful negligence towards her citizens.
The Kenyan public must understand that the impetuous decision by their troops to cross the border into Somalia will not be without severe repercussions. The bloody battles that will ensue as a result of this incursion will most likely disrupt the social equilibrium and imperil the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians; and with war consequently comes a significant loss of lives, instability, destruction to the local economy and a critical lack of security.
Therefore, we call upon the Kenya public to think about their safety and their livelihoods and urge their government to immediately withdraw their troops from Somalia. We have experienced decades of war and instability in our country and fully understand the costs and the consequences of the conflicts. Do not let the flames of this war spill over into your country, thereby destroying the notion of safety and stability that you have enjoyed for years. Do not entrust your fate and the fate of your country to a few sabre-rattling politicians. It is your government and the choice is in your hands.
Press Office
Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen
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