Kenyan special forces eliminated al-Shabaab fighters in a dusk raid on Monday, 12 September. Details emerged just recently about the operation, which dealt a significant blow to the al-Shabaab cell in North Eastern Kenya. The raid resulted in the deaths of five militants and the discovery of materials for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), along with medicine and other items.
Harbole-Fafi area, Garissa County, KENYA. By Yahya:
The Special Operations Group (SOG), acting on intelligence regarding an al-Shabaab hideout serving as one of the group’s logistical camps, executed the operation. The camp in the Harbole-Fafi area of Garissa County has allegedly produced and deployed IEDs along crucial supply routes in Garissa and neighbouring Lamu County.
At the scene of the operation, the officers ambushed an unidentified number of militants in the process of making IEDs. A fierce exchange of fire ensued, leading to the deaths of five militants and injuries of six others. A manhunt is still underway to capture those who managed to escape. The operation occurred only a day after al-Shabaab militants planted IEDs along the Milimani-Baure road in Lamu County, resulting in casualties among Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel.
IED attack in Baure, Lamu
The heightened security measures come in response to increased attacks in Lamu, Mandera, and Garissa. The Islamist group al-Shabaab mainly operates in these counties. Therefore, the primary objective is to restore peace and normalcy in the affected regions.
On Sunday, a suspected al-Shabaab IED attack in Lamu County injured at least eight KDF soldiers. Their vehicle was on patrol along the Milimani–Baure road when it struck and triggered the IED. The subsequent blast injured military personnel and destroyed their car.
The KDF has condemned the attack and called upon local communities to cooperate by sharing information on criminal elements within their areas. This incident is a reminder of North East Kenya’s ongoing security challenges.
