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Kenya’s elite Special Operations Group (SOG) officers on Tuesday foiled a planned al-Shabaab attack after intercepting militants who were attempting to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the Welmerer–Yumbia road in Garissa County.
The operation was launched following reports from residents who had noticed unusual movements in the area. Responding quickly, the SOG team moved to the scene and found eight armed men preparing to lay roadside bombs meant to target passing vehicles and security convoys. When the suspects spotted the officers, they opened fire, prompting a short but intense gun battle. The police managed to overpower the attackers, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes.
According to police reports, the officers discovered several assembled IEDs ready for detonation. Bomb disposal experts were called in to safely destroy the explosives, preventing what authorities said could have been a deadly attack causing significant loss of life and property. The police have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects, who are believed to have crossed into dense bushland near the border area.
Officials say the foiled attack highlights the ongoing threat posed by al-Shabaab militants who continue to exploit the porous Kenya–Somalia border to smuggle weapons and carry out cross-border attacks. Security forces have increased patrols in the region and stepped up surveillance to prevent further incidents.
The government has also urged residents in northern Kenya to remain alert and report any suspicious activities. Police commended the local community for their quick response in alerting authorities, saying such cooperation has become a key part of efforts to counter terrorism. Community vigilance, they added, continues to play an important role in saving lives and supporting national security operations.
Security agencies are now working jointly across Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties to dismantle militant hideouts and disrupt their networks. These operations, which involve the Kenya Defence Forces, regular police, and specialized units such as the SOG, have helped reduce attacks in some high-risk areas, though officials warn that the threat remains high.
Tuesday’s incident adds to a series of recent al-Shabaab-linked attacks targeting security forces and civilians in northern Kenya. Just over a week earlier, on October 22, a police officer identified as Constable Elijah Orwa was killed when suspected militants ambushed a patrol team along the Dagahaley–Mathabaquay road in Wajir County. Orwa and his colleagues had been responding to a report of gunfire when they were attacked. The assailants later escaped, but security forces have since intensified operations to track them down.
Authorities say such incidents are part of a wider strategy by the militants to disrupt transport routes, security patrols, and public confidence in the region. Despite these challenges, security officials have reiterated their commitment to protecting residents and restoring stability across northern Kenya.
As operations continue, officials are urging the public to maintain close cooperation with law enforcement agencies by sharing information that could help identify threats before they escalate. They emphasized that lasting peace in the region depends not only on military action but also on strong collaboration between security forces and local communities.