Strategic Intelligence (S.I) warns of terrorist attacks against the Kenya Police (NPS) and Army (KDF) units stationed and patrolling the Kenyan border with Somalia throughout the short rains season. Since June 2018, the terror group presence has increased in both Gedo and Juba regions of Somalia. These areas are where insurgents have effective control of some geographically and tactically critical areas.
Intelligence Reports
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On August 7th 2018, Shabaab’s Infantry Commander Maalim Osman instructed Issaack Okola, a middle level commander to deploy 50 of his militia based in Kukumo terrorist camp to Qorgala area near the Kenya-Somali border. The group set up camp at Qorgala at 17.30HRS EAT, Tuesday 7th August 2018. Their encampment is approximately 13.8 kilometers (S.I Targeting & Geo-Mapping) from the El-Ram village of Mandera Central Constituency of Mandera County, North Eastern Kenya. The highly equipped Kenya police ASTU Camp at El-Ram is the target. Shabaab plans to overrun the camp, kill officers, and take the weapons and vehicles.
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Shabaab is also targeting radio frequency Booster Masts belonging to Radio Damal located 3 kilometers away from Harhar GSU Camp and the GSU camp itself. Damal Radio, is allegedly owned by Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji, a former senior intelligence officer.
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Shabaab is also conducting reconnaissance on vulnerable military supply routes (MSR) and police lines with intent of planning improvised explosives along the Dohbley-Kulan military supply route (MSR).
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In Wajir, the terror group plans to destroy the Mansa Safaricom mast. Their plan is to paralyses communication in the general area of Kutulo to Mansa then conduct attacks targeting police stations in the area.
By all accounts the Al-Qaeda branch in East Africa, Harakat Shabaab Mujahideen attacks are steadily increasing and growing more sophisticated. In both Somalia and along the Kenyan border, the attacks have morphed. Note the increasing number and sophistication in Al-Shabaabs use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is an indicator they’ve adopted the strategy and invested in manpower to achieve consistency. Between May and August 2018, the terror group has conducted approximately 186 attacks in the region. Security services, particularly army and police should escalate counter terrorism operations to stymie this threat along the border.
