Al Shabab kills two, dismantle the fourth telecommunication mast in ten days

MANDERA—A group of suspected Al Shabab militants attacked a location between Wajir and Mandera counties.

The militants targeted a Safaricom mast in Dagaxkut location in Kutulo sub-county.

An amateur photo captures the aftermath of Shabab attack on a newly built police post in the area.

According to Tarbaj deputy county commissioner Miti Andrew, the militants blew a newly built police post with IED’s and shot two people on the spot—a driver and a foreman.

“So far we can only confirm that two people have been killed and we are heading to the site to asses the level of damage,” Mr Miti told Kulan Post on the phone.

The Somalia based militant group Al Shabab is planning a major attack in Mandera County, governor Ali Roba warned on Tuesday.

Speaking in Mandera , the governor said the group is continuously disabling communication masts in the area to minimize detection and surveillance.

“This is an attempts to cut the county off while an ambush is planned. They have crippled economic activities and now the isolation plan has moved a level higher,” Roba said.

“With the communication network down, Al Shabaab will be moving around the county and it will only be a couple of days before anyone notices there is a problem,” he added.

The governor was in the company of legislators from the county.

On Monday evening,  suspected Shabab militants targeted an Orange telecommunication mast in Kutulo.

Mandera South MP, Mohamed Huka told the media at his constituency that, “Al Shabab will campaign in Mandera instead of Jubilee if the government will not take action.”

He blamed the county security heads of taking too long to respond when attack is staged.

“No action has been taken since the masts were vandalised. I do not understand how, after the first attack, sufficient security has not been provided to protect all the masts in this county,” Roba wondered.

The terror group has destroyed three masts in a week so far – one in Damasa, another in Dabacity, Kutulo and the third one in Chabi bar, Mandera North, on Wednesday night.