Another blow to KDF, police as Al-Shabaab attack their bases

By Robert Mutasi

It is believed that Al-Shabaab insurgents orchestrated three simultaneous strikes in Mandera County early Friday morning.

The initial assault occurred in the Iresuki region, targeting police officers guarding a Safaricom telecommunications tower, about 15 kilometres from the Elwak Police Station.

A police statement revealed that at approximately 0130 hrs, National Police Reservist (NPR) Abdirahman Bashir, who was on duty at the Iresuki Safaricom tower, reported via a phone conversation that they had been overwhelmed by possible Al Shabaab insurgents who were damaging the Safaricom tower.

The police report also noted that his fellow officers were unreachable by phone, and their current location remains a mystery.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab insurgents were also said to have attacked the Wargadud Police Station.

The police statement added, "In a pursuit to verify the circumstances, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) based in Elwak confirmed that they too had experienced an attack in their camp by suspected Al Shabaab insurgents around the same time."

As a result, communication between the Elwak and Wargadud police stations has been disrupted.

Inquiries into these coordinated incidents are ongoing to determine the full impact of the attacks.

At this time, it is unclear whether any police or KDF personnel were harmed or killed during these incidents.

In an Al-Shabaab attack in Salama and Juhudi villages in Mukurumbi Division, Lamu County in June 24th, at least 5 men were beheaded and numerous homes were set on fire.