An intelligence-led operation by Kenya’s elite Multi Agency security team at Boni Forest left four Al-Shabaab militants severely wounded.
The operation conducted on the night of Sunday September 29, thwarted plans by the Al-Shaabab militant who were looking forth to establish a makeshift camp in Boni Forest found in Garissa County.
“The Sunday night operations caught Al-Shabaab militants by surprise. Four militants were seriously wounded and escaped into the Somalia border with fatal injuries,” the statement posted by the Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) Kenya on their social media read in part.
Further, CTP added, “The team recovered ammunition, deadly explosive making materials, mobile phones, assorted medical supplies, food items, and portable solar panels.”
Kenya’s Elite Multi Agency Success
According to the Counter Terrorism Policing Kenya, the success in combating the gangs’ results from the close relations between locals at the border villages and security agencies.
“The success registered against the Al-Shabaab in the Boni Forest is as a result of constant border surveillance and close working relations between the residents of the border villages and security agencies,” CPT recounted.
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Al-Shabaab Attacks
Al-Shabaab attacks are not new in the Kenyan context. A report published by Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) on April 19, 2024, highlighted that the Militant continues to cause insecurity at the Northern and Southern regions of Kenya.
In response, Kenya established military command centers to address the insecurity situation.
April 2, 2024, marked the ninth anniversary of the al-Shabaab attack at Garissa University.
The terrorist attack that happened in 2015 resulted in mass killing of more than 140 students. The attack was one of the deadliest ever recorded in the country conducted by the Al-Shaabab militants.
Similar attacks by Al-Shabaab have been witnessed in Mandera and Lamu counties. ACLED, further reported that the attacks doubled in Mandera in March than it was in February.
On the other hand, violent incidents by Al-Shabaab tripled in Lamu County during the same period.
Also Read: Garissa University Attack Survivor Speaks After Court Awards Her Ksh10M
Armed Conflict Location & Event Data
Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) is a disaggregated data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping initiative.
The initiative collects information on dates, actors, locations, fatalities, and types of all reported political violence and protest events around the world.
Its mission is to provide accurate and accessible data and analysis to better inform decisions that reduce violent conflict.
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