Al-shabaab strikes in Mandera, Kenya

Mogadishu (GO) - The Somalia-based Al-shabaab militants have struck Mandera town in northeastern Kenya for the first time in as many months, in a tragedy that left three people dead among them two security officers and a civilian according to authorities.

The al-Shabaab militants had reduced activities in Kenya following heightened security, with the East African nation deploying Special Forces, a contigent which has religiously defended the borders of the country for long spells in the last decade.

According to officials, at least three people were killed after an explosion detonated at a food kiosk in Mandera city, northeast Kenya, Monday. Reports by the media indicate two cops are among the dead as a result of the suspected IED explosion.

Intelligence reports disclosed the female victim was the owner of the shop and was killed after the IED detonated. This was the first time al-Shabaab militants were attacking Mandera after months of close surveillance by security teams.

Last month, Al-Shabab confirmed the death of two Cuban doctors who were abducted in the town a few years ago, blaming the US Africa Command. To date, the US, Somalia government and the government of Kenya have yet to confirm the reports.

Kenya secured sophisticated weapons a few days ago, including Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles which were acquired specifically to handled the al-Shabaab menace in the Northern Frontier Districts.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is set to withdraw and strategise itself along the borders after the government built several Forward Operating Bases in the country. The team is set to leave Somalia upon full implementation of the Somali Transition Plan (STP).

Kenya has donated close to 3,000 officers to Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Cases of terrorism have drastically reduced in the northern regions after deployment of the Special Operations Force.

GaroweOnline.