Kenya tightens security in Mandera county over Al-Shabaab attack
Kenyan forces have tightened the security in Mandera town and other areas near Somali-Kenya border barely two days after Al-Shabaab overrun a Somali military camp and seized a town near the Kenyan border.
Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia said Kenyan security agents were on high alert to prevent Al-Shabaab fighters from crossing the border into Kenya.
Shisia pointed out that Al-Shabaab fighters can use Kenyan military uniforms and vehicles stolen from the Kenyan army.
“We have heightened our security checks along the border since it is alleged the militants are using motor vehicles captured during the El-Adde attack in January,” he said.
On 15th January 2016, fighters from the Al-Shabaab group launched an attack on base for Kenyan troops in El-Adde where the group boasted to have killed over sixty Kenya soldiers.
Mr Shisia disputed reports that both civilians and government soldiers from Somalia had sought refuge in Kenya during the Friday ambush.
“Only one injured SNA soldier was received at a hospital [on the Kenya side] for treatment but no other Somali nationals trooped in,” he said.
The Kenyan army in Somalia used airpower to attack Al Shabaab positions, in response to a deadly attack on KDF base in El Adde town.
Kenya has 3,664 soldiers operating under the framework of AMISOM, who are in Lower and Middle Juba and Gedo regions.
Over six people killed in an attack by Al-Shabaab armed group on Elwak town, about 436 km south of the capital, Mogadishu.
The group claimed the responsibility for the attack on the military base.
“Mujahideen fighters stormed the base and killed several soldiers,” the Shabaab said through their mouthpiece media.
Al-Shabaab was forced out of the capital Mogadishu five years ago but continues to carry out regular attacks on military, government, and civilian targets in its battle to overthrow the internationally-backed administration.