Sunday, June 02, 2013

Security Boost From Kenya After Attack Along Somalia Border

Security boost from Kenya after attack along Somalia border

Kenya’s authorities have beefed up security along border with Somalia after Al-Shabaab killed six people including two policemen in the northern town of Garissa.

The Saturday evening attack which the insurgents have claimed responsibility has left six police officers missing. Al-Shabaab later said on the social mesdia that they are holding two Kenyan policemen men captive.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said on Monday more security forces have been deployed in the porous border to help contain the cross border killings after the attack that targeted two police posts near Liboi in the border.

“Security has been beefed up in the two camps and the general area by deployment of additional General Service Unit and Rapid Deployment Unit officers,” Kimaiyo said in a statement received in Nairobi on Monday.

He added that a plane had airlifted the injured to hospitals in Nairobi for specialized treatment. The heavily armed attackers numbering about 80 raided the two police posts and killed the two officers on Saturday evening.

Kimaiyo on Sunday dispatched a team led by the two deputy Inspectors General to assess the situation for further intervention.

A meeting between the security officers and local leaders is being held on Monday to try to seek solutions to the deadly clashes which have sparked a lot of tension to the restive region.

The Kenyan leader encouraged the incoming government to work closely with Amisom, AU and the International community in reconstructing the state of Somalia which is facing near daily onslaught from militants.

Garissa town which hosts the regional headquarters for government officials has in the recent months witnessed a spate of attacks aimed at security officers and innocent citizens.

The attacks come amid rising fears among communities living along the porous border with Somalia that the military group, who fled military assault on their last bastion town of Kismayo, were turning their frustration on the innocent civilians in a series of revenge attacks.

Al-Shabaab militants have vowed to attack Nairobi after the east African nation which hosted protracted negotiations that culminated in the signing of the federal charter for Somalia in 2005, invaded Somalia to flush out the insurgents it blamed for kidnappings of tourists.

The police said they are concerned that most public facilities have lowered their security alertness unlike two months ago when Kenya started pursuing Al-Shabaab.

Source: Strategy Page

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