Tracking and Monitoring Al-Shabaab’s Activity in NEP Kenya
Northeastern region of Kenya has experienced calm over the past few months but in the past week, Al-Shabaab has claimed at least three attacks in the border county of Mandera.
The Somali-based Islamist militants in one attack raided Safaricom BTS mast with grenade but they were countered by Kenya Police Reservists manning the communication mast. The incident happened in Lafey. Another incident happened in Fino where reportedly Al-Shabaab abducted four ladies (non-locals) and the third incident happened at Elram ASTU/ KDF camp.
Intelligence reports warns of sleeper cells in the frontier counties that usually aid Al-Shabaab in achieving their goals. The militants are also aided by local sympathisers in terms of information and other logistical facilitations.
North Eastern Regional Commissioner called on locals to refrain from abetting Al-Shabaab orchestrate attacks within their localities. He urged them to volunteer information on Al-Shabaab operatives within their midst.
The Regional Commissioner promised that such information will promptly be acted upon by security assets in an effort to stem down Al-Shabaab’s activity in the region. He assured those who share information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
NEP Kenya has suffered the brunt of Al-Shabaab atrocities witnessing sporadic attacks orchestrated by the ragtag militia that has been blamed for dozens of terror attacks within the country’s borders. The region’s health, education and economy have also greatly been affected by these attacks.
Security outposts, patrol units remain Al-Shabaab high value targets. Non-locals especially those working in the frontier counties bordering Somalia also remain key targets of the Al-Qaeda aligned Al-Shabaab.
