Kenyan security forces thwart Al-Shabaab attack in Yumbis, Garissa County

A file photo taken on February 13, 2012 shows Somali Al-Shabaab fighters gathering in Elasha Biyaha, in the Afgoei Corridor. Kenyan security forces thwarted an attack by the militants at Yumbis village in Ijara, Garissa County. AFP PHOTO 

In Summary

• The government commended locals for informing the police that they had spotted the Ugus.
• Security forces swiftly mobilized and engaged the militants in gun battle.

By VINCENT AGOYA
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Kenyan security forces on Thursday evening thwarted a terrorist attack by Al-Shabaab militants targeting Yumbis village in Ijara, Garissa County.

The Interior Ministry stated that villagers alerted security forces that they had spotted armed militants in the area at around 6pm.

“Security forces swiftly mobilized and engaged the militants in gun battle. No casualties were reported,” Interior Ministry spokesperson Mr Mwenda Njoka said in a statement.

Inspector General of Police Mr Joseph Boinnet said the Al-Shabaab militants were harassing locals but were repulsed by security personnel.

" Security forces last night ambushed an Al Shabaab mob, found harassing locals for food & water Yumbis, Ijara. Attempted incursion repulsed," he said Friday in a post on his Twitter account.

The government commended locals for informing the police that they had spotted Ugus, a term used by Somali government to refer to Al-Shabaab.

“The Government commends members of the public for taking pro-active action to report the sighting of these Ugus and urges Kenyans to continue collaborating with security agents to ensure that members of this group who might have taken refuge among innocent locals are flushed out,” Mr Njoka said.