High Alert: Al-Shabaab Attacks Rock Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera
Following al-Shabaab’s deadly attacks in Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera, security agencies are on high alert.
The attacks have raised questions about the police’s capacity and readiness to deal with security threats in certain regions of the nation.
Terrorists have resorted to planting explosives on roads and ambushing convoys, camps, patrols, and escortes of security officers.
In addition, they intimidate police reservists and individuals suspected of working for security agencies.
Multiple interviews with security and intelligence personnel shed light on the evolution of the terrorist group’s raiding techniques.
Al-Shabaab attacks are increasingly fluid and unpredictable, making it difficult for government agents to respond.
In some cases, the fighters target sparsely populated regions, which typically have a much smaller security presence than cities and large villages.
The combatants evade detection by moving in pairs or singly. Some pretend to be herders or honey collectors, according to state officials.
When not transporting their deadly cargo on foot, al-Shabaab members use rented vehicles, motorcycles, and even donkeys.
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Additionally, they tend to avoid open roads and avoid settlements. Some residents of the regions raided by the terrorist organization in recent weeks are under investigation, according to security agencies.
Financial gain It is believed that locals provided information about security personnel to al-Shabaab fighters.
“Others have fed al-Shabaab terrorists, while others have helped transport their weapons to their target areas,” a senior security official told the Sunday Nation.
“Their motives include ideological agreement, sympathy, and monetary gain.” The government has promised to deploy more police reservists to villages in Lamu that have experienced attacks and murders.
Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome, speaking to the public at Juhudi Primary School in Lamu West on Friday, stated that the move is intended to bolster the security of citizens and property as the search for the individuals who killed five people and destroyed six homes in Juhudi and Salama intensifies.
Saturday, June 24 at approximately 7:30 p.m., over sixty heavily armed attackers raided the two villages.
They dragged men from their homes, bound their hands and legs behind their backs, and then slit their throats.
Mr. Koome noted that the raiders appeared to be familiar with the terrain and even knew the names of some of their victims.
He urged locals to provide security agencies with information about the attackers.
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“I am told that the attackers called out the names of some locals. That means you recognize these individuals. In a meeting, the police chief said, “Let’s be sincere enough to expose them so that the government will take action.”
The IG added that he would take action against officers he labeled as lazily performing their duties. “You are in your native land. The government will provide for your needs. Here, we will augment the number of reservists. Mr. Koome stated, “I only urge you to work with security agencies.”
After committing attacks, Al-Shabaab fighters typically vanish into the dense and expansive Boni forest.
While security agencies claim to have thwarted raids, the terrorist group’s June killing of more than 20 people has caused widespread concern.
Specialized security force According to officials, the special security formation deployed to pursue al-Shabaab in the country’s northeast dismantled camps used by the terrorist organization.
They claim that three operations conducted in May thwarted al-Shabaab attacks.
22 May saw the arrest of a suspect al-Shabaab fighter in Ahadho, Garissa County.
Security agents claim they discovered him with two rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), seven RPG ammunition, six AK-47 rifles, eighteen loaded magazines, approximately 200 rounds, two grenades, explosive-making materials, and food.
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On May 18, police in Madogo arrested a man believed to have been gathering intelligence for al-Shabaab.
In Karo, a person who, according to the police, was linked to the possible destruction of the casing of a communication mast was arrested three days before the arrest.
On February 25, a security team conducted an operation targeting a suspected al-Shabaab camp in Alango.
Launch attacks
The team engaged fighters at the Korbul dam and discovered weapons, food, and explosives-making materials.
According to security officials, an operation in Dahun on January 20 resulted in the deaths of al-Shabaab militants.
The clean-up led to the discovery of numerous valuable items, including explosives loaded on a cart, a rifle with a magazine, a solar panel, a 12-volt battery, dry cells, a digital multimeter, two remote controls, radios, and food.
According to intelligence reports, fighters are regrouping in border regions as they prepare to launch attacks.
A week ago, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that the government would acquire new anti-terrorist artillery.
He urged senior security officials in northern Kenya to assume a leadership position in the fight against al-Shabaab.
Mr. Duale and his colleague in the Interior Department, Kithure Kindiki, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to pursue al-Shabaab both inside and outside the country.
High Alert: Al-Shabaab Attacks Rock Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera
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