MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali government has accused the Kenya Defense Forces of targeting civilians in southern Somalia amid diplomatic row between the two neighbouring countries.

In a statement, Somali government said an indiscriminate airstrike by Kenyan forces that took place Thursday in El Adde and Hisa-u-gur in the Gedo region caused death and injuries.

“These KDF operations cloaked under a claim of carrying out operations against extremism are undoubtedly conducted in a manner that is bereft of its obligations under the UNSC’s AMISOM mandate,” part of the statement reads.

Somalia has said the way KDF operates in Somalia is becoming provocative and blind as many civilians are targeted in the attacks by the neighbouring country.

“It is becoming increasingly obvious the provocative and indiscriminate manner the KDF conducts operations in Somali under the pretext of fighting extremism will not contribute to the efforts toward stabilising and confronting extremism but only further radicalise communities in support of extremism.”He said civilians under their property should never be the target of military action.

Somalia added that it has raised the same issue on several occasions with the government of Kenya and the African Union.

According to Somalia, the deterioration of its ties with Kenya was due to the failure of the Kenyan government to meet the standards expected of the KDF.

“It’s regrettable the KDF continues to be under the impression the Status of Mission Agreement (AMA) protects their actions from accountability for the illegal killing of the innocent and the destruction of private property.”

Somalia has now called on AMISOM to fulfill its obligation under paragraph OP18 of the AMISOM Security Council mandate to enhance consistency in reporting on civilian casualties.

Somalia and Kenyan have been trading accusations since last year, prompting the diplomatic ties between the two to hit the bottom.

Last month, Kenya suspended all flights to and from Somalia, owing that Somalia had banned khat from the East Africa nation.