Kenyan security agencies have become more alert after a recent attack by the al-Shabaab terror group on the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) base in Middle Shabele region, southwest of Mogadishu, left 10 peacekeepers dead.
According to witness accounts, two loud explosions believed to be car bombs hit the ATMIS military base hosting Burundi troops, followed by a heavy exchange of gunfire between the militants and Burundi troops.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in El Baraf on May 3.
Burundi state television said 25 other soldiers were wounded in the raid on a camp near the village of El Baraf in central Somalia, while 20 al-Shabaab terrorists were also killed.
The AU and troop-contributing countries such as Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia typically do not release casualty numbers after attacks.
There are fears the group plans an attack on Kenya.
“We understand they may try to attack targets in Kenya after the end of Ramadan and following rains that have been experienced in the northern parts,” said an official aware of the plans.
The official said they had increased surveillance at the main border as part of efforts to tame the plans by the terror group.
Further, they are using intelligence to monitor the gang’s activities locally and in Somalia.
“We know the trend, and we are informed there are movements towards the border hence the alertness.”
