Kenyan security forces, patrolling the world's largest refugee camp of Dadaab, arrested more than 100 people of Somali origin a day after a landmine attack killed one Kenyan soldier and wounded three others on Monday in the area.

North Eastern Provincial Commissioner James Ole Serian said major operations are underway in the camps, which are home to more than 400,000 Somalis refugees.

“We will get those people who were behind the attacks. An operation is underway to find the attackers and we are urging locals to support the local police in their investigations,” he said.

Ole Serian stated that more than 220 Kenyan police are now deployed in Dadaab, which consists of five camps spread across 50 square kilometers.

"Up to 100 suspects were arrested in police operations, but the real criminals are yet to be found," he added.

This operations comes after a police officer was killed in bomb blast and three others were injured in IFO 2, Dadaab Refugee Camp. The wounded were admitted to the Garissa provincial general hospital.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack against the soldiers, but many believe it is the work of the Somali al-Shabaab militant group which has vowed to attack Kenya.

Al-Shabaab, the militant group in Somalia aiming to topple Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and impose Islamic Law, has been waging a brutal war against Somali security forces, killing and injuring scores of civilians in the process.

In an exclusive interview, Somalia Report speaks to Sheikh Adam Mohamed Barre, an al-Shabaab representative in Gedo region, on why they have been ousted from the other regions of Somalia.

Where are the al-Shabaab leaders in Gedo Region?

The majority of us are in Wilaya Gedo, although some of us are in Bardera, and we plan to capture other districts such as Luuq, Balet-hawa and Garbaharey.

Whom are you collaborating with?

Mujahidin who are in the other parts in Somalia, and they are like our brothers because they are fighting the Ethiopian forces in some parts of Gedo region.

You control all parts of Gedo except the Dollow region, and now you have run away from the other three districts after heavy fighting. How were you ousted from these districts including Balet-hawa where al-Shabaab was present?

In fighting, we need weapons, finance and fighters. Sometimes, we are fighting TFG soldiers backed by Ethiopian troops and this is too much pressure. As al-Shabaab Mujahidin, we have no backing from other groups. This has been difficult for us in terms of getting finance and weapons. Our fighters, due to fierce exchanges, get tired and some die. Thus we have opted to withdraw our young fighters from these regions like Lower Jubba, Elwaq and Mogadishu where the fighting is heavy.

After being ousted from Garbaharey, will you be able to capture it back?

Our aim in attacking Garbaharey is to hit and destroy the town, but not to recapture it.

How many fighters do you have in Gedo as your main region and what is your plan for the region?

We cannot tell you the exact number, but we are many. We plan to attack bases belonging to Somali TFG, ASWJ and all their allies like Kenya and Ethiopia.

There was a recent airstrike in El-Ade and Bardere, were there any injuries or deaths caused?

Only three of our fighters died and five wounded. Bardere is not an al-Shabaab camp so we had no injuries or deaths caused.

What strategy are you using to defend yourself from Kenyan forces and the others like TFG?

We have expert fighters and defenders in Gedo, but at the time of airstrike bombardments we have to tactically hide in the forest.

Hundreds of villagers have fled from Garbahaarey district after al-Shabaab fighters attempted to take control of the town. Why do you want to take over the town?

TFG and ASWJ are unbelievers, and if we let people live with them they will become unbelievers, and that is why we want to take over the town of Garboharey.

Are there any foreign fighters backing you or staying with you in Gedo?

Yes, and they help us mostly with the training.

Which countries are they from?

They have trained in Afghanistan, but their nationalities are different. They are Pakistani, Yemeni, Africans and Europeans.

Kuusow Abdi Muumin, a leader at Hagardeer refugee camp, declared at a gathering where Somalia Report was present that al-Shabaab is responsible for the attacks on his people, “Al-Shabaab is against us, they don’t need our lives as Somali people. As you see, we fled Somalia because of them, and even here they have come to disrupt us. As your leader, I urge you to inform the police about any individual who you suspect of trying to harm our security.”

He added, “If al-Shabaab sees any Somali people living in peace, they come to kill off that peace and start violence. That is clear, as you know al-Shabaab came here and kidnapped those who came to help us, they have killed security officers who were keeping us safe. So you have to protect yourself from those people, if you don’t defend yourself you will keep running away,” said Mr Kuusow.

Sheikh Mohamed Abdulaahi, an Imam at the Ifo refugee camp told Somalia Report, “As you know, the al-Shabaab fighters are so cowardly, they hide amongst us in the refugee camps and bombard the police who are patrolling for our security. It is compulsory for anyone to point out and kill those belonging to al-Shabaab.”

Sheikh Mohamed added, “Our religion doesn’t allow us to kill those who came here to our refugee camps to help you and support you. But these al-Shabaab, they don’t respect Somali victims, people who have abandoned their homes. That is why I urge you to protect yourself and work with security teams, that means to allow the police to capture anyone who supports or has ties to al-Shabaab in the refugee camps.”

Dahir Abdi Farah, an elder and businessman in the Ifo refugee camp, told Somalia Report that he encourages refugees to be aware that al-Shabaab are not truly Muslims, which he say is indicated by the violence they bring down on poor and weak people. “Our business and movement are restricted, and as we are refugees, we didn’t get full help and support since October, after al-Shabaab kidnapped the aid workers. I need all refugees to keep an eye out for those who attacked us. We are responsible for our own peace and security, and we will achieve this if we work together and work with the Kenyan security teams.”

Bombings started in the refugee camps in October when the Kenyan military invaded southern Somalia after al-Shabaab kidnapped two MSF aid workers, thus far four bombings have killed three police officers and injured four others.

On Wednesday, Kenyan security police arrested three suspects and captured explosive material at Ifo refugee camp, after they were informed that a home in the camp contained explosives.

The insecurity in the camps since October, which reduced the presence of aid agencies in the camps, has also caused many refugees to despair. Getting water, food, medicine and necessities has been difficult, since aid agencies have feared for the security of their personnel.

However, the refugees are now making initiatives to guard against the presence of al-Shabaab and have started refugee security teams which are patrolling the camps.