Thursday April 28, 2022
Kenya Defence Forces operating in Somalia foiled a planned
attack by al-Shabaab militants and recovered 11 rifles loaded with bullets.
The troops operating in the Burahache area, a few kilometres
away from the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera were acting on a tip-off when
they intercepted and captured a suspect who was carrying the weapons.
Reports indicated the suspect belongs to a logistics unit of
the terror group.
They are said to have planned a large-scale attack on the
troops operating at the nearby base.
There were also fears the terrorists could have crossed with
the weapons into Kenya with a deadly mission.
Sources aware of the operation said the recovery was seen as
major and had weakened the gang's plans.
This comes in the wake of heightened alertness in parts of
the country following reports the militants have been planning an attack.
And with the Ramadan period ending and rains being
experienced in parts of the Kenya-Somalia border, there are fears the
terrorists could send remnants with instructions to attack targeted areas.
Security has been heightened in major towns to thwart any
such plans.
The terrorists have been using Improvised Explosive Devices
to attack targets.
Officials said this shows the threat of IEDs remains
persistent in a particular area of responsibility.
Officials said the terrorists are exploiting the low-cost
strategy and deploying it near forwarding operating bases or main supply routes
to attack their targets.
This is happening both locally especially in the northern
part of the country and in Somalia.
KDF troops are among those under Amisom that are operating
in Somalia. Their aim is to suppress al-Shabaab activities in the region.
KDF went to Somalia in October 2011. Kenya's incursion into
southern Somalia started after the kidnapping of two Spanish women, who were
working for MSF at the Dadaab refugee camp
The abductions were carried out by the militants who the
troops planned to push away under Operation Linda Nchi.
Two years later, the troops managed to take control of
Kismayo port under Operation Sledge Hammer.
The government saw the attacks as a threat to the country’s
sovereignty as it targeted tourism, which is an economic lifeline.