KDF JOINT TRAINING WITH BRITISH ARMY | PHOTO: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
A collaborative security operation involving Kenyan law enforcement personnel was carried out on Wednesday in Garissa, targeting an Al Shabaab camp and successfully eliminating four militants who were planning an attack on Kenyan forces.This morning assault on the Al Shabaab camp was executed by a specialized team of officers who had received prior intelligence from vigilant members of the public regarding the militants’ activities. At the operation site, the officers surprised an undisclosed number of Al Shabaab militants who were in the process of crafting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
According to the police report, a fierce firefight erupted, resulting in the neutralization of the four militants and the confiscation of materials used for making IEDs. The statement further noted, “The officers seized materials for IEDs, ammunition, and medical supplies, which could have been used to aid wounded Al Shabaab fighters. Their removal will hinder the group’s ability to sustain its operations.”
A COLLAGE OF NABBED EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL BY KDF | Photo Courtesy: kenyans.co.ke
The multi-agency security team, composed of members from the National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, and Kenya Defence Forces, expressed their gratitude to the local villagers for providing crucial information that contributed to the operation’s success. Emphasizing the significance of collaboration between security agencies and local communities in combating insurgency along Kenya’s borders, the statement added, “The success of the operation underscores the cooperation between the local population and law enforcement.”Kenyan military forces have been conducting operations against Al Shabaab in northern Kenya since 2011. Despite significant progress in the fight against Al Shabaab, the group remains a persistent threat. Recent months have seen an uptick in Al Shabaab attacks in northern and coastal Kenya.In July 2023, Al Shabaab militants carried out attacks on civilians in Lamu, Garissa, and Mandera County, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 10 lives. In August 2023, the group documented their attack on Kenyan forces, provoking outrage among the Kenyan populace.In response to these attacks, the Kenyan military has launched coordinated ground operations. In August 2023, a multi-agency security team conducted multiple strikes against an Al Shabaab camp in Boni Forest, Lamu, resulting in the elimination of several militants.Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to defeating Al Shabaab.