Kenyan officers foiled a suspected al-Shabaab attack on Mandera police camp on Friday night. The Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) of Kenyan police effectively repelled the assault thanks to heightened vigilance and prior intelligence.
According to a police report the Somali Digest saw, militants attacked the base using gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The report indicated that the assault originated from the eastern side of the base, approximately 200 meters from its premises.
The attack lasted for about 10 minutes. The RPGs caused fires both within and outside the base, challenging officers’ efforts to control the blaze due to the dry vegetation surrounding the station. Fortunately, the incident resulted in no fatalities or casualties.
Destroying communication mast
Two weeks ago, al-Shabaab allegedly destroyed a communication mast in the same county. Mandera County Commissioner, Amos Mariba, stated that the suspected extremists used guns and explosives to damage the Safaricom mast in the area.
The attack occurred in a sparsely populated area of Sukela Tinfa. It left the communication network down, awaiting repairs to restore the network. “A Safaricom mast was destroyed in the night attack and is currently partially damaged. The mast needs to be repaired for the area to have the normal network,” Mr Mariba told Daily Nation over the phone.
The mast was under the guard of the Kenya Police Reserve (KPR). However, heavily armed extremists outgunned them at around 1 am. Surprisingly, despite the communication disruptions and ongoing attacks and fears in the region, the commissioner viewed the security situation in his county as relatively good.
North Eastern Kenya on high alert
In recent months, al-Shabaab has targeted both civilians and security personnel in North Eastern Kenya. The heightened attacks pose a significant security threat in the region, prompting relevant authorities to discuss and establish potential strategies and responses. In an alarming revelation, Mandera’s Governor recently said that al-Shabaab is present in more than 60% of his county’s territory.
