Nairobi (Sunatimes) Kenyan military on Saturday denied claims that its killed civilians during the recent air strikes on rebel targets in parts of Lower Juba.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) head of operations Colonel Cyrus Oguna dismissed the claims by international human rights group as unfounded, saying that they operated within the rules of engagement.

Speaking to journalists during a weekly briefing in Nairobi on Saturday, Oguna said a professional organisation that respects the sanctity of life and laws of armed conflict, adding that they even provided humanitarian assistance to the locals.

Oguna declared on Saturday that they are adhering to the international humanitarian law through strictly ensuring that no civilians are directly targeted in the attacks.

Early this week, U.S.-based Human Rights Watch called on the Kenyan government to investigate the death of as many as 11 civilians during a Kenyan air force raid on Hosingow village in Somalia on Dec.20.

The rights group said both the Kenyan armed forces and the armed group Al-Shabaab should take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian casualties during military operations.

Kenya sent troops into Somalia earlier last October to pursue Al-Shabaab rebel fighters it accused of spate of kidnappings on its soil, an accusation denied by Al-Shabaab.

By Fadumo Farah