BOOK REVIEW OPERATION LINDA NCHI an Insight Into the Art of Modern Warfare
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BOOK REVIEW OPERATION LINDA NCHI An insight into the art of modern warfare Kenya Defence Forces Publisher: Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB) Number of pages: 304 Year of publication: 2014 REVIEWER: SGT (REV) ELIJAH ONYANGO STANDSLAUSE ODHIAMBO Kenya Military Academy (KMA), Ministry of State for Defence (MOSD) and Dept. of Peace and Confl ict Studies (PCS) Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology The Operation Linda Nchi conducted by Kenya Defence Force (KDF) in 2011 resonates as one of the landmarks in the fi ght against global terrorism. Advocates of the statist approach to war would applaud this event. They argue that terrorist acts by Al-Shabab constitute acts of war since they violate domestic and international law. The cosmopolitan approach in addressing terrorism subscribes to the view that terrorism is a criminal act that requires a multilateral and multifaceted approach within the tenets of International Law. Operation Linda Nchi is documented in a 16 chapter book that is described as “a systematic and holistic account of the KDF operation in Somalia starting from the entry into Somalia on 14 October 2011 up to the rehatting of Kenyan troops to be part of the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).” This book, the fi rst one of its kind in Kenya, not only provides a clear account of how KDF carried out its war in Somalia, but fi ghting against “faceless enemies” waging also provides detailed perspectives into the asymmentrical wars across the globe.” The art of modern warfare. It resonates well with book offers an in-depth insight into how the current times and provides “valuable KDF responded to the violation of Kenya’s and unique lessons for world militaries sovereignity through employing both the statist and cosmopolitan approaches in the of the Kenyan border, Somali-based bandits fi ght against terrorism. and Al-Shabaab sympathizers carried out Described as one of its kind in numerous incursions and precipitated a reign Kenya, the book “gives a unique, inside view of terror in the country, particularly targeting of KDF and what they are capable of doing”. its tourism industry and international It provides clear lens through which security NGOs. In addition, over half a million analysts, scholars, and the general public Somali refugees, with close family and may understand the events that unfolded in clan affi liations to the Al Shabaab militia, the fi ght against Al-Shabab. The strategies provided a foothold for the terror group to used and modus operandi have been well operate easily within the country. The book articulated, making it suitable as a handbook cites numerous and escalating cases of or manual for use in training on how to deal attacks on tourists and humanitarian workers with non-traditional security threats. As one which adversely affected Kenya’s economy delves into the book, it is apparent that the and threatened her sovereignty. triumphal note which pervades its pages The KDF war was a culmination of is justifi ed. KDF succeeded in the harsh, more than 20 unsuccessful attempts by the uncertain, highly volatile and dangerous United Nations (UN), the regional leaders Somalia context, a country which has been and the African Union (AU) to use political without a central government since the fall means through negotiation, to bring peace of the Siad Barre government in 1991. This to Somalia. These efforts fi nally resulted unexpected success astounded the world and in the establishment of the Transitional established KDF as a highly effective war Federal Government (TFG) in 2014, which machine. failed to establish a functioning government Terrorism has emerged at a time when giving rise to diverse clan-based militia society is characterized by increased groups controlling various parts of Somalia complexities and rapid change. In the fi rst and its economic resources and making it part of the book, the reader is introduced to extremely insecure. In this scenario, the the concept of “a just war”, more specifi cally militia groups benefi ted economically from jus ad bellum and jus in bello. It provides the protracted confl ict and were instrumental historical and security reasons to demonstrate in the proliferation of small arms and light that Kenya did not enter Somalia as an weapons in Kenya and the region. The occupational force. A holistic account of the authors go further to inform the reader that events leading to the operation is given and KDF acted in accordance to Article 51 of justifi cations for intervention are discussed. the UN Charter, which “reaffi rms a state’s Under International Law, states are accorded right to self-defence” since the lives of its the right to use military force in self-defense citizen were threatened. Kenya reacted to when all other efforts have failed. In the the growing treat of Al Shabaab’s terror contemporary international system, state activities that threatened its security and survival has been threatened by emerging made KDF respond to armed attacks with terrorist organizations (non-state actors). force. The authors show how Kenya fell victim In the Second and Third parts of the to Al- Shabaab attacks that threatened state book, the reader is taken through the integrity and sovereignty. KDF makes dynamics of asymmetric warfare that a strong and credible case backed by terrorist organizations use to render the international law and practice to justify its use of conventional methods of warfare entry into Somalia. Due to the porous nature less effective. The Second Part specifi cally identifi es the key ingredients that are the diplomatic aspect of war that is aimed necessary in planning and executing military at “winning the hearts and minds” of the operations against terrorist fi ghters, who civilian population. It is in this fi nal part that have no military insignia and are known to the reader appreciates the effective use of melt into the society almost at will. The book smart power, which involves a combination reveals that KDF had done extensive research of hard and soft power arsenals in the and gathered suffi cient intelligence through battlefront. By reading this book, the reader diverse means which was critical to reveal travels with the KDF, as it were, witnessing the enemy’s capability and future direction. fi rst-hand, all its engagements, and the In the course of the war, KDF mobilized successes it meets with. and released information on the campaign KDF learned some lessons too, through the print and electronic media to including the fact that the enemy they were enhance national and international support challenging was strong and highly organized for its campaign. KDF used counterterrorism but were weakened by the intractable clan tactics including deception, propaganda, affi liations that rendered them incapable of misinformation, and “soft power” in Kenya working in the spirit of togetherness that and Somalia to garner public support for its worked so well for KDF. mission. So what does the reader take away from The reader will become familiar with reading this book? Overall, this book is rich KDF, a well-oiled war machine, with in descriptions, enabling the reader to have highly trained and motivated personnel; in-depth knowledge of the art of modern an organization that is well equipped war, the principles of a just war, and the legal militarily, highly organized and coordinated, frameworks that relate to war. The book and extremely effective both at the highlights the changing nature of modern Command and Control level and in the war, especially in dealing with the invisible, battlefi eld. The book reveals the military insidious “faceless enemies”, who would also precision and technical superiority of KDF be described as “terrorists without borders”. with exceptionally effective planning, This book is particularly relevant at this time reconnaissance, coordination, control, and in history and it has many lessons that can be implementation capabilities. In reading learned especially in “asymmetric warfare” the book, the reader is informed that KDF where the opponents are unequal. were extremely familiar with the nature This being a book produced by Kenya of the terrain, the enemy’s strengths and Defence Forces, some readers may look at it weaknesses. The reader is informed of the as being a subjective account of the events. meticulous planning and superior logistical In the world of academia, this is normal. It preparations prior to entering Somalia and provides an opportunity for others to respond as the war unfolded. The authors state that by providing an academic critique of the the KDF were prepared for the long haul, book. The book also provides an example if necessary, and made extensive efforts to that other militaries can follow. They should ensure that their troops were taken care of also pick up the cue and document their materially and psychologically throughout events, more so on security matters. and after the campaign. This book, produced by Kenya Defence The fi nal part of the book examines the Forces, meets its objective of being a application of the concept of “soft power” handbook and training manual. It is also a through looking at the humanitarian aspect Kenya classic, being the fi rst such book to of the war. This provides great insight into discuss military operations in such great detail, and KDF is to be commended for capacity to threaten the survival of the state. such a feat. Every soldier would fi nd a lot The strength of this book is that it is of useful practical information to hone his/ the fi rst of its kind on Military in Kenya. It her military acumen. It would be useful for details discussion on military strategies and other non-military security forces, security warfare.