MANDERA (KAAB TV) – Kenyan security forces have launched operations against the Al-Shabaab group in parts of Mandera County following an increase in insecurity incidents blamed on the militant group.
Kenyan security officials, working with Mandera County authorities, are targeting specific locations suspected of being used by Al-Shabaab fighters to stage cross-border attacks and kidnappings.
Kenya has announced that it is intensifying security measures in Mandera County, where recent incidents have disrupted stability and raised public concern.
Mandera lies on the Kenya-Somalia border and has recently seen a wave of attacks.
On Friday, armed men hijacked one of the Mandera County government vehicles.
Since then, a series of meetings have been held to discuss how to prevent such incidents and apprehend the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif has expressed concern over Somali militia groups that have recently been clashing along the border near Beled-Hawo town in Somalia.
The militias, aligned with Abdirashid Janan and the Jubaland administration, have fought deadly battles over the past two months in Beled-Hawo, causing displacement and casualties. Janan’s militias are reportedly supported by the Federal Government of Somalia.
Kenyan authorities fear that Al-Shabaab may be exploiting the instability along the border to carry out cross-border attacks and kidnappings inside Kenya.