Nairobi (SD) – The Kenyan government is expected in the coming days to begin negotiations with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in ways to withdraw its army from Somalia, according to The Nation.

Talks led by the Kenyan Ministry of Defense are said to be focused in how to withdraw that countries soldiers out of Somalia by 2021, the African peacekeeping mission in Somalia is to conclude.

The talks aim to end almost eight years of Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) operations in Somalia since October 2011.

Kenya believes the withdrawal of its troops could reduce terrorist attacks by al-Shabaab.

Negotiations come at a time of heavy fighting between the Somali Federal Government forces and Jubaland forces along the border.