Kenyan Forces Raid Al Shabaab Bomb-Making Squad
Wednesday, a multi-agency security force comprised of Kenyan law enforcement personnel raided an Al Shabaab camp in Garissa and neutralized four militants intending to attack Kenyan forces.
The morning assault on the Al Shabaab camp was orchestrated by specialized officers who had received information about the militants’ operation from members of the public.
At the site of the operation, the officers ambushed an unidentified number of Al Shabaab militants while making bombs also known as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
According to the police report, a violent exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the deaths of four militants and the seizure of IED-making materials.
“The officers seized IED materials, ammunition, and medical supplies. Several militants also escaped with bullet injuries.
“These supplies could have been used to treat wounded Al Shabaab fighters, so their removal will make it more difficult for the group to sustain its operations,” the statement read in parts.
The multi-agency security team, comprised of members of the National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, and Kenya Defence Forces, commended the villagers for providing the vital information that led to the operation’s success.
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To effectively combat insurgency along Kenyan borders, it has been noted that cooperation between security agencies and local villagers is essential.
“The success of the operation is a testament to the cooperation between locals and officers,” the statement read in parts.
Since 2011, the Kenyan military has conducted operations against Al Shabaab in northern Kenya. The group has carried out numerous attacks in Kenya, including the 2013 Nairobi Westgate Mall attack in which 67 people were murdered.
The Kenyan military has made considerable progress against Al Shabaab, but the terrorist organization remains a threat. In recent months, the number of Al Shabaab attacks in northern and coastal Kenya has increased.
At least ten civilians were murdered by Al Shabaab militants in Lamu, Garissa, and Mandera County in July 2023. In August of 2023, the group filmed their attack on Kenyan forces, causing Kenyans to become enraged.
The Kenyan military has conducted coordinated ground operations in response to these attacks. In August of 2023, a multi-agency security squad launched multiple attacks against Al Shabaab camps in Lamu’s Boni Forest, resulting in the deaths of several militants.
Cabinet Secretary for the Interior, Kithure Kindiki, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to defeating Al Shabaab.
Kenyan Forces Raid Al Shabaab Bomb-Making Squad