NAIROBI, Kenya – Two members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group were killed on Tuesday while attempting to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Kenya. This incident occurred in the northeastern part of the country, and it is another failed attempt by the militants to disrupt ongoing operations against their activities in Kenya.
The reports indicate that the two militants were assembling and planting the IEDs in the Amuma area when the explosives detonated, resulting in their immediate deaths. This incident targeted the security officers who were stationed nearby.
Over the past few months, there has been a significant reduction in cases of IED attacks, thanks to the increased mobilization of security forces in the region. The security teams have been successful in preventing the militants from carrying out their attacks.
This explosion comes shortly after Kenya deployed elite Special Forces from the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) to the counties of Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, and Lamu, where there had been an escalation of IED attacks by Al-Shabaab. Most of these troops reported for duty last week.
The government security agencies have been actively engaging with local communities, urging them to share intelligence with the security forces in order to combat Al-Shabaab raids. The KDF has established several Forward Operating Bases along the border, which will serve as bases for the majority of the troops in the troubled border regions.
The dominance of Al-Shabaab is being challenged as military operations against them in Somalia have resulted in significant casualties among their ranks. Once the second phase of operations is launched in Jubaland and Southwest states, Al-Shabaab will face further resistance.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been encouraging locals to join the fight against Al-Shabaab, with the national army receiving support from the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). However, despite protests from the Somali government, ATMIS has recently begun implementing a tactical withdrawal.
