Suspected terrorists destroy communication mast in Mandera

Suspected al Shabaab terrorists attacked and destroyed a communication mast in a village in Mandera.

This left Sukela Tinfa residents without communication.

Locals and police said the incident happened Tuesday morning.

Mandera county commissioner Amos Mariba said they used explosives and guns to attack the installation.

“Security agents are on the ground pursuing the gang that destroyed the mast affecting communication,” he said.

No one was injured during the attack as police reservists deployed to guard the installation were overpowered and took cover.

Security agents who responded to the scene said the attackers had left.

It comes amid reports the terror group plans to conduct more attacks targeting various targets in usual flashpoints in the area.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif had last month revealed that 60 per cent of the county is under the control of al Shabaab militants.

Mohamed said the presence of the militants has affected service delivery in various parts of the county.

“We can’t deliver services in some areas. Al Shabaab controls more than 60 per cent of the county which is affecting our work,” he said.

Mohamed said his administration is unable to offer services to the public due to the al Shabaab presence in the county.

“Mandera, for example, 60 per cent is controlled by al Shabaab. We cannot offer services and are only confined at the county headquarters,” he said.

He spoke during a security meeting in Wajir to find ways of dealing with the terror group insurgence in the North Eastern region where leaders called for concerted efforts in tackling the terrorist.

The leaders called for support from the national government to fight the group.

Source: the-star