Suspected Al-Shabaab militia destroy Safaricom mast Mandera

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 18- Gunmen attacked and destroyed a communication mast in Elele area, Mandera county in the latest such incident in the area.

The gang believed to be members of Al-Shabaab terror group used bombs to bring down the only mast in the area, hence affecting communication.

The incident happened in Wargadud area, Mandera South.

Police said no one was injured in the dawn attack. The attackers escaped soon after their assault.

North eastern regional police boss Rono Bunei told Shahidi News that no injuries had been reported.

“Communication has been cut in the area after the destruction of the mast. We are pursuing the matter,” he said.

The attack comes four days after newly built police offices and houses were destroyed in an Al-Shabaab explosion at Borehole 11 area of Mandera South constituency, Mandera County.

The structures had been built be the local Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

No injuries were reported in the Monday incident.

Locals said they heard explosions and gunfire before learning the structures had been flattened. Police said an investigation had confirmed explosives were used in the attack. The militants escaped soon after the attack at about 11pm, police said.

On several occasions, the town has been under attack by criminal elements destroying property and stalling development.

This is the latest attack in the area by the terrorists operating from within and outside Kenya.

There are fears of more such attacks after dozens of the militants crossed from Somalia to Kenya in Garissa border. The gang was in three groups when they crossed into Kenya on Saturday with an intention of attacks on security officials.

The border region has borne the brunt of repeated attacks from the militants who are at times aided by locals.

Somalia has not had a stable government after the fall of Siad Barre in 1991.

The area is near the Somalia border and the militants usually cross at will and stage attacks before escaping back.

Al-Shabaab terrorists have been attacking places in the region especially in Mandera and Garissa counties after breaching security zones, which left dozens of civilians and security officials dead and wounded.

The terrorists have been planting explosives on the routes used by the security agencies attacking them.

More personnel have since been sent to the area and operations by the Border Patrol Unit heightened to tame the surge.

Kenyan troops are in Somalia to pursue and suppress the activities of the terror group.