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Kenya’s Elite Forces Kill Two Al Shabaab Militants in Pre-Dawn Ambush Near Somali Border

Storyline:Security, War on Al-Shabaab

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MANDERA: Kenyan security forces killed two suspected Al Shabaab militants and foiled a planned terror attack during a pre-dawn operation in Mandera County, authorities said.

Acting on intelligence, officers from the elite Special Operations Group (SOG) under the Counter Terrorism Police Unit (CTPU) launched a surprise ambush on militants believed to be planning an improvised explosive device (IED) attack along the Alungu-Elwak road, a critical civilian route near the border with Somalia.

A police report confirmed that the extremists were intercepted in the final stages of planting roadside explosives aimed at civilian vehicles.

“A fierce firefight ensued during which two militants were neutralised, while others fled into nearby bushland with injuries,” the report stated. “The terrorists were caught in the act of setting up an IED intended to target civilian traffic.”

During the operation, security forces recovered two AK-47 assault rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) warhead, and a fully assembled IED, according to preliminary findings.

Officials said the operation likely averted a large-scale attack and underscored Kenya’s continued commitment to safeguarding its border communities from cross-border militant threats.

The Somali-based Al Shabaab group, linked to al-Qaeda, has long targeted Kenya with deadly attacks, particularly in northeastern counties like Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa. The militant group seeks to destabilize the region through bombings, ambushes, and assassinations, often targeting security forces and civilians alike.

Security analysts say the latest operation reflects improved intelligence-sharing and rapid response by specialized units working in volatile border areas.

Efforts to combat Al Shabaab have intensified in recent months as both Kenya and Somalia ramp up joint counter-terrorism operations, amid broader regional coordination with East African and international partners.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, as pursuit operations for the fleeing militants continue in the Mandera region.