Kenya on alert as Somalian militant group escalates cross-border violence

Al-Shabaab militants have escalated attacks in Kenya, killing 24 people in June. The group is trying to demonstrate their relevance and resilience, and Kenya is taking no chances, delaying the reopening of its border with Somalia. Vigilance is key to prevent further attacks. #AlShabaab #Kenya #Somalia #Terrorism #Vigilance

In Kenya’s rural northeast, roadside bombs and beheadings that killed two dozen people last month appear to be part of a troubling escalation of violence by Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists, analysts say.

A regional economic powerhouse and a popular tourist draw, Kenya has not suffered a high-profile jihadist attack since 2019, when 21 people lost their lives at a hotel and surrounding offices in Nairobi.

The recent attacks have been small-scale and focused on minor targets, but have raised fears that Al-Shabaab jihadists, who have been blamed for the assaults, are turning their attention to Kenya as they suffer losses in their native Somalia.

Estimated to have between 7,000 and 12,000 fighters, Al-Shabaab has in recent months faced a multi-pronged counterterrorism offensive by the Somali National Army and U.S.-trained “lightning” commandos supported by clan militias known as macawisley.

The militants, who have waged war against the fragile government in Mogadishu for over 15 years, have recently carried out several attacks along Kenya’s long and porous frontier with Somalia.

Twenty-four people, including 15 security officers, were killed in six separate attacks last month alone.