NAIROBI, Kenya – Suspected Al-Shabaab militants detained a Nairobi-bound bus in the latest attack inside Kenyan territory, a senior police officer said in an attack that left at least eight passengers badly wounded inside the porous northeastern region.
Joshua Kitakwa, deputy commissioner for Mandera South, said the latest attack took place between El-Wak and Kotulo towns near the border with Mandera and Wajir counties. It is the first attack in Kenya by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in so many months.
“We still need to know the exact number of injured people. So far no deaths have been reported, ”the administrator told the nation without giving much detail. But a source within Kotulo Sub County Hospital said at least four people were in critical condition.
“We have received at least eight victims, but four need special care,” the source said. The bus christened Makkah left Mandera town around noon. 8 and became ambushed around noon.
According to the nation, a survivor interviewed in confidence said the shots drained tires in addition to damaging the fuel tank. “It was raining bullets while the driver maneuvered. He stopped after the tires were emptied, ”he said.
The attackers fled without inspecting the bus, he added. Mohamed Rashid, Kotulo MCA said he was informed that the attack was by about eight armed people. “Eyewitnesses say the attackers shot at the bus after the driver defied their order to stop,” said Mr. Rashid.
But according to reports, the attack could have been a retaliation after recent incidents in nearby Somalia, where Kenya’s defense forces [KDF] was accused of killing a “civilian” in addition to “kidnapping” three others in Balad-Hawo and El-Wak, respectively.
In the past week, residents of Balad-Hawo city near Mandera have been protesting the incidents the victim reports associated with Al-Shabaab have since been buried. It is believed that the militants planned the attack in retaliation for the incident.
During the secret funeral, in which a chief of the Al-Shabaab operation attended the Gedo region, fighters were urged to prepare for a revenge mission. Accounts KDF camp were mentioned as their most important goal, ”the report reads.
It says the commander demanded a successful mission despite increased security in the area, the Daily Nation reported.
“Al-Shabaab agents are desperate and under pressure from their commander-in-chief to attack a key target within our border with Somalia. They are also looking for medicines to treat their injured operators, so they may also be targeting hospitals in addition to safety camps, ”the report says.
This comes a few days after President Uhuru Kenyatta ruled out the possibility of the U.S. military conducting airstrikes in northeastern and coastal regions of the country. A report published by the New York Times suggested that the U.S. African Command has made a formal request to the Department of Defense for air strikes.
AXADLETM
