Police repel Al-Shabaab raid on Chinese workers’ camp in Mandera
Police in Mandera repelled an Al-Shabaab night raid on a Chinese workers’ residence near Elwak, securing all 10 occupants as vehicles and property were damaged amid wider border security concerns.
Security agencies in Mandera repulsed an attempt by Al-Shabaab militia to forcefully gain entry into a Chinese contractor’s residence located about a kilometre off Elwak Police Station.
The incident, which occurred about 1:00 am, led to a heavy exchange of gunfire between the militia and police officers who were on guard at the residence.
More To Read
- UN Security Council extends sanctions oversight on Al-Shabaab
- Special forces across Africa meet in high-level Nairobi forum to counter terrorism and emerging threats
- 868 Al-Shabaab militants killed since February - Somali Defence Ministry
- Kenya and UK celebrate gains against violent extremism at Ethiopia and Somalia borders
- Horn of Africa sees decline in extremism victims, but militants adapt with new tactics
- Al-Shabaab founding member killed in Somali airstrike amid ongoing military offensive
The militia, who were armed with both crude and sophisticated weapons, demolished the main gate and damaged the perimeter barrier.
Police said the militia had been transported to the area using four Toyota Probox vehicles, which gained entry into Elwak town from Buraache along the border cutline routes.
“They positioned themselves on the opposite side of the road facing the main gate of the Chinese residence, but the officers on guard gallantly held their ground and successfully repulsed the attack,” they added.
Officers from the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) at Elwak reinforced the team on the ground in combined efforts that secured all 10 occupants of the house.
As a result, the militia damaged a police vehicle as well as five Toyota Hilux double-cabs, a grader machine and a water bowser that belonged to the Chinese nationals who are engaged in a project in the area.
Also extensively damaged was the main gate and barrier erected in front of the residence.
“The situation has since been brought under control and calm has been restored,” the police said.
The Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) has taken over the matter that was reported at Elwak Police Station.
The incident comes as security agencies continue to enhance operations along the Kenya-Somalia border to avert continued attempts by the Al-Shabaab militia to infiltrate the country.
According to the latest IGAD analysis of the threat of terrorism in the Horn of Africa region, Kenya faced heightened vulnerability to cross-border spillovers from neighbouring conflict zones between July and September, a challenge now extending to the last quarter of the year.
The report by the IGAD’s Centre of Excellence for Preventing Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE) noted that although the overall scale of attacks declined, targeted and cross-border incidents persisted, underscoring the resilience and adaptability of violent extremist networks in the region.
As such, the quarter saw persistent militant activity across Somalia and Kenya’s border regions, with the conflict shifting toward asymmetric and technology-enhanced warfare amid intensified counterterrorism efforts.
“The use of drones, crypto-financing, and Houthi-linked weapons marked a new level of sophistication on both sides. August recorded a surge in attacks as militants retaliated against joint Somali-UPDF operations and international airstrikes, while by September the overall scale declined, though targeted and symbolic strikes persisted, showing adaptation rather than weakness,” the centre warns.
Other Topics To Read
In the quarter under review, a few cross-border and IED attacks were reported in northeastern and coastal Kenya, particularly along the Mandera-Garissa-Lamu corridor.
Top Stories Today
