Security Alert: USA Embassy in Nairobi lists areas Al Shabaab plans to attack
The United States of America (USA) Embassy in Nairobi on Monday, April 8, 2024, shared a security alert over planned attacks in multiple locations within Mogadishu in Somalia.
Top on its list, the US said that Aden Adde International Airport which is located in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia was being targeted.
“All movements of US Embassy personnel have been cancelled for Tuesday, April 9, 2024,” the statement read in part.
The US also said that its level-four travel advisory, which advises against travel to Somalia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and piracy, remains in effect.
The alert further states that the US Embassy keeps on reminding its citizens that terror groups continue plotting kidnappings, bombings and other attacks in Somalia.
“They may conduct attacks with little or no warning, targeting airports and seaports, checkpoints, government buildings, hotels, restaurants, shopping areas and areas where large crowds gather and westerners frequent, as well as government military and western convoys,” the alert further said.
Terrorists’ methods of attack include but are not limited to car bombs, suicide bombers, individual attackers and mortar fire.
The US further revealed that it had limited ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in Somalia due to the lack of a permanent consular presence in the country.
This comes at a time when the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia have issued a travel advisory over threat to increased terrorism targetting foreigners in Kenya.
In an alert which was sent over the weekend the two countries cautioned their citizens to be extremely careful while in Kenya.
For the UK, it asked its citizens not to pay visits in five areas which include; the Kenya- Somalia border, Garissa, Lamu, Taba River and Mandera County.
“FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 60km of Kenya’s border with Somalia. FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to areas of Tana River County north of the Tana River, up to 20km northwest of the A3,” the statement issued by UK read in part.
For Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFA) warned its citizens travelling to Kenya over a possible terror attack.
Australia said that terror-related cases and violent crime had gone up in the country.
In the statement, the country said that the attacks would occur anytime and would be extremely random plus would be targeting foreigners.
“Terrorists continue to maintain a strong interest in attacking foreigners in Nairobi and other major population centres in Kenya,” the statement read.
It further added that Al Shabaab was still interested in attacking Kenya.
Some of the possible attacks the militants might use include; carrying suicide bombs, kidnapping, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and road side bombings.
However, Kenya through the Interior Ministry asked people to go on with their business as usual as the country was safe.