Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) conducted counter-terrorism operations in Dabaciti area near El-Wak area bordering the North Eastern Province (NEP) frontier with Somalia and recovered a large cache of weapons used to conduct attacks against travelers in Mandera.
Kalashnikov assault rifles, rocket propelled grenades and launchers (RPG), bullets, pistols, and belts were recovered by the military units with vast knowledge on counter-insurgency.
Dabaciti area has been a hideout for the Al-Shabaab terrorists, specifically the one involved in the criminal acts of murdering and terrorizing travelers in Mandera area of NEP Kenya.
Intelligence reports show locals in Dabaciti were aware of the presence of the terror cells and know the cell members by both names and family origins.
This signals a problem in community policing. Local leaders have been criticizing security officers for conducting operations in villages terming the operations as 'harassment' of the community members whereas community members know the criminals and their hideouts.
'There should be collaboration between the locals and their leaders and most important, a robust relation between the security officials and the local political leadership. These relationships will help destroy criminal and terror cells.
KDF is conducting intelligence led counter-terrorism operations in the area to destroy and dismantale terror cells deeply embeded in these border villages.
Intelligence officials in NEP warn that leaders are protecting these militias and castigating the security personel instead of helping in the crackdown against them.
Mandera region is marred by clan politics and Al-Shabaab terror group cell presence.
