At least six police officers have lost their lives and four others sustained injuries following an assault on a police camp in Kenya, attributed to suspected members of Somalia’s al-Shabab group.
According to a report from the Kenyan police released on Sunday, the incident occurred in Garissa County, located in eastern Kenya near the Somali border.
The report indicated that the attackers launched their offensive at dawn, targeting a camp that housed police reservists, and employed various weapons to overpower the facility.
“Six deaths have been confirmed, with four individuals injured and currently hospitalized,” the report stated.
Although al-Shabab has not yet issued a statement regarding this attack, the group is known for frequently conducting cross-border assaults against both military and civilian targets.
This incident follows a recent advisory from the United States embassy, which warned travelers to avoid certain areas in Kenya, including Garissa County, due to the potential for attacks.
For years, al-Shabab, which has connections to al-Qaeda, has been engaged in efforts to topple Somalia’s central government and impose its interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.
This latest assault comes on the heels of al-Shabab claiming responsibility for a roadside bombing near Somalia’s presidential palace earlier in the week.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack on the convoy and reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting the people and government of Somalia “in their struggle against terrorism and in advancing peace and stability,” as stated by UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.
The British Embassy in Mogadishu has denounced the recent attack and reiterated its commitment to supporting Somalia’s counterterrorism initiatives.
In a statement, the embassy emphasized, “The UK continues to be a reliable ally of the Somali government in their battle against the violent extremists behind this abhorrent act.”
Earlier in March, al-Shabab militants attacked a hotel in central Somalia, where government officials and tribal leaders were convening to strategize on measures to combat the group. Reports indicate that multiple casualties resulted from the assault.
