Five Kenyan security officers killed in clash with Al-Shabaab near Somalia border
NAIROBI, July 29 (Reuters) – Five Kenyan security officers died after a patrol clashed with suspected Al Shabaab militants in Mandera county, close to the Somali border, police said.
Al Shabaab has waged a years-long insurgency aimed at toppling Somalia’s central government and imposing its authority over the Horn of Africa nation under its strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law.
“A patrol team from SOG Alungu came into contact with Al-Shabaab militants in the general area of Wantey Dam,” police said in a report, describing Tuesday’s confrontation, which took place around noon.
Police said officers were tracking the militants after the clash. A reinforcement unit sent to the area was later struck by an improvised explosive device that destroyed an armoured vehicle, though no casualties were reported.
Al Shabaab has repeatedly carried out attacks in the region against both military and civilian targets. In January, police said the militants killed a local chief and a teacher in neighbouring Garissa county.
