Four elite police officers from the Special Operations Group (SOG) lost their lives in a devastating ambush near the Kenya-Somalia border.
The tragic incident occurred in the Guba area of Elwak, Mandera County, on Thursday evening. The officers were part of a team actively pursuing suspected terrorists when they were attacked by militants belonging to the notorious al-Shabaab group.
The Special Operations Group, a distinguished unit under the Border Patrol Unit, is tasked with combating terrorist activities along Kenya's porous border with Somalia.
This region has been a frequent target for attacks by al-Shabaab militants, who often exploit the border's vulnerabilities to carry out their assaults.
Reports from the scene indicate that the ambush was fierce and sudden. The officers, engaged in tracking down armed gunmen in the area, were caught off guard by a rocket-propelled grenade launched by the attackers.
Tragically, the grenade claimed the lives of four officers, whose bodies were discovered the following morning.
Despite the devastating loss, the police team retaliated swiftly, managing to eliminate five of the assailants during the skirmish. Six other officers sustained injuries and were promptly evacuated for medical treatment.
The aftermath of the ambush shows the ongoing threat posed by al-Shabaab in the region. Kenya has long been a target for the militant group, which operates from bases in neighboring Somalia, where instability has persisted since the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991.
The Kenya-Somalia border, spanning hundreds of kilometers, remains a challenging area to secure, with militants frequently crossing over to launch attacks before retreating back into Somalia.
Following the incident, additional security measures have been implemented in Mandera County to prevent further attacks.
Local communities have been urged to collaborate closely with security agencies to enhance vigilance and counteract the activities of militant groups operating in their midst.
Mandera County has been in the spotlight for the past few years due to the increasing number of devastating militant attacks that have left hordes of security personnel and civilians dead.
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