Rapid Series: 4th Terror Alert in a Week
Canada has released a terrorism warning for its nationals journeying to Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu counties, shortly following a comparable advisory issued by the United States State Department just a week ago.
On August 10, a communication released on the official government website revealed that the advisory had been provided with information collected about the potential actions of terrorist organizations within the nation.
Canada has also expressed concern about potential incidents of abductions, primarily aimed at foreigners who are traveling to the country.
The risk assessment by the North American country indicates a high level of risk, which could potentially indicate the possibility of an imminent attack in the region.
Since January, there have been intermittent assaults in the four regions, primarily aimed at government facilities and communication towers.
Intended locations encompass government edifices, educational institutions, sites of religious practice, air travel facilities, as well as other transit focal points and communal spaces.
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Potential targets included bars, coffee shops, shopping centers, markets, and hotels, which were also identified.
“Kenya’s border with Somalia is closed, but it is porous, and Somali militias and bandit groups have carried out cross-border attacks against foreigners and humanitarian workers in this region,” read the statement in part.
“Some incidents involved the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and have resulted in injuries and deaths, including at the Dadaab refugee camp, 80 km from the Somali border.”
In Nairobi, the advice given to foreigners was to remain vigilant due to the emphasized occurrence of crimes like mugging.
Certain residential areas that were emphasized included sections of Eastleigh, Kibera, and Pangani.
The advisory for Nairobi from Canada resembles the one given by the United States, as both emphasize the potential for crime and kidnappings in Eastleigh and Kibera.
The warning from the two countries occurred a few days after Kithure Kindiki, the Interior Cabinet Secretary, disclosed that an operation conducted on August 1 in Lamu County resulted in the elimination of 60 individuals believed to be Al Shabaab militants.
Rapid Series: 4th Terror Alert in a Week