A Kenyan teacher has gone missing after an attack by Al-Shabaab militants that also targeted a telecommunications installation.
In a media statement on July 26, KTN News reported that the attack occurred in Abakaile Village, Garissa County, where the militants attempted to uproot a Safaricom communication mast before fleeing.
“One teacher missing after suspected Al-Shabaab militants attack Abakaile village, Garissa, attempt to uproot a Safaricom mast,” the report read.
Al-Shabaab Militants Launch Coordinated Attacks in Mandera
This comes after suspected Al-Shabaab militants on Friday, July 24, reportedly launched coordinated attacks on the towns of Fino and Arabia in Lafey Constituency, Mandera County, prompting a security response.
According to preliminary reports, the first attack was reported in Fino town between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. About an hour later, a second attack occurred in Arabia town, indicating a coordinated assault by the militants.
The incidents triggered panic among residents, who reported that the attackers were heavily armed and moved through the affected areas during the raids.
Security personnel were subsequently deployed to the affected locations to contain the situation, pursue the attackers, and reinforce security in the area.
Residents reported intense gunfire echoing across both towns as security personnel exchanged fire with the suspected militants.
An audio clip circulating online captured the sound of sustained gunfire as the attacks unfolded, although it was not immediately clear which of the two towns the recordings originated from.
In Fino, residents said the infant son of the headteacher at Fino Primary School was injured during the incident and was reportedly taken to Mandera County Referral Hospital for treatment.
The attacks add to ongoing security concerns in Mandera County, where suspected Al-Shabaab militants have repeatedly carried out cross-border raids.
KDF Defuses Four IEDs in Lamu County During Operation Amani Boni
The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) have foiled several terrorist plots in Lamu County, safely neutralizing four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along Major Supply Routes (MSRs).
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According to the KDF, the successful operations were conducted as part of Operation Amani Boni (OAB).
On July 20, the defense force reported clearing IEDs in Lamu, with the first device discovered during a dominance, route clearance, and link-up patrol.
Following the patrol by the officers, the troops identified a concealed pressure-plate IED before it was activated, securing the area immediately and safely destroying the explosive.
“In a series of successful operations, KDF troops thwarted multiple terrorist plots after discovering and safely neutralizing four concealed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along Major Supply Routes (MSRs), along critical corridors used by both security forces and local communities in the area of responsibility,” KDF reported.
11 Al-Shabaab Militants Killed in Earlier Mandera Attack
At least 11 suspected Al-Shabaab militants were killed after Kenyan security forces conducted an intelligence-led operation targeting a makeshift militant camp near the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera County.
Also Read: KDF Soldiers Thwart Terror Attacks Targeting Kenya in Latest Successful Operations
According to police, the Special Operations Group (SOG), supported by aerial surveillance, launched the raid after intelligence indicated that about 30 militants were planning an attack on villages along the Mandera border.
The operation left 11 militants dead and seven others seriously injured, while the remaining fighters reportedly fled across the border into Somalia.
Security officers recovered three PKM machine guns, about 409 rounds of ammunition, and documents believed to belong to the militant group.
Authorities said the operation disrupted the planned attack before it could be carried out.
Investigators also recovered documents, including alleged Al-Shabaab tax receipts, which security agencies said could provide intelligence on how the group finances its operations through taxation and checkpoint collections.
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