Al Shabaab Launches Terror Attack In Elwak, Mandera Killing Five

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off in Elwak Town, Mandera County, killing at least five people. Witnesses reported seeing at least five people motionless following the incident, which occurred opposite a local Administration Police camp.

The victims are four non-locals and a local one, including teachers, nurses, casual laborers, and police officers.

Equity Bank suspended operations at their local branch following the explosion, stating that they are safe.

Officials believe the incident was set up by al-Shabaab terrorists or their remnants operating in the area. The explosion may also have been set up by local extremists hiding behind al-Shabaab terrorists. This is the latest such incident in the area amid ongoing operations to tame terror activities.

On April 13, gunmen suspected to be al-Shabaab militants raided a local hospital and terrorized guards on duty. The area is near the Kenya-Somalia border, which the terrorist group frequently breaches.

Police have increased operations in the area to address terror threats, including increased deployment of security officers. They have been staging operations to downgrade the activities of the terrorists, who have been attacking places in the region, especially in Mandera and Garissa counties after breaching security zones, leaving dozens of civilians and security officials dead and others wounded.