Al-Shabaab logistics base destroyed in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya - Multi-agency security teams in Kenya have destroyed yet another Al-Shabaab base in the Northern Frontier Districts, authorities reported, terming the move as "vital progress" in the fight against the militants, who still pose a major threat in the country.

The Al-Shabaab militants have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, but in recent months, they have been on the receiving end due to ongoing operations. The group often targets security forces and innocent civilians both in Kenya and Somalia.

According to reports, the base was destroyed in Dahun in the Fafi constituency within Garissa County. Garissa and the neighboring Lamu, Mandera, and Wajir have been the major target areas by the militants, whose presence in Kenya has been dealt a major blow.

Security teams recovered foodstuffs like rice, sugar, and water for the Al-Shabaab team behind IED attacks in the county. The militants hide in thickets from where they plan attacks on major link roads within the vast area using Improvised Explosive Devices [IEDs].

Recently, Kenya deployed Special Forces from the Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] in the region and have managed to effectively counter the militants. Most of the Special Forces occupied at least 14 Forward Operating Bases which were recently established along the volatile Kenya-Somalia border.

Authorities in Kenya reversed the decision to open the Kenya-Somalia border weeks after announcing the intended opening in phases. This, the Interior and National Administration Minister said, was due to the resurgence of Al-Shabaab terrorist attacks in Northeastern Kenya.

Kenya has close to 4,000 troops serving in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], who have been in the country for the last 13 years. The ATMIS troops are set to leave the country completely by the end of December 2024 in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan.

GAROWE ONLINE