Kenyan security forces have repelled an alleged attack by Al-Shabaab militants in Arabia Town, Mandera County, following a heavy overnight assault on their position.
The attack is reported to have taken place on the night of September 6, when heavily armed assailants targeted security officers stationed in the border town.
The attack triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire that continued for several hours, leaving residents in the remote settlement alarmed.
Footage from the area showed large flames and thick white smoke rising from huts during the night.
The sound of gunfire could also be heard across the town as security forces engaged the suspected militants.Arabia Town is located about 60 kilometres west of Mandera town, near the Kenya-Somalia border.
The area has experienced security challenges in the past due to its proximity to the border and the activities of armed groups operating in the region.
Local reports indicate that Kenyan security personnel managed to push back the attackers after the prolonged gun battle.
The shooting has since stopped, with security teams carrying out operations in the area as they assess the situation and establish what happened.
Casualties have been reported following the confrontation, although the exact number remains unclear. Authorities have not yet provided official details on possible deaths or injuries, nor have they confirmed the identities of those behind the attack.
The latest incident comes only weeks after Arabia Town and other parts of Mandera faced similar security threats. The county has continued to experience attacks linked to Al-Shabaab, making insecurity a major concern for residents and security agencies.
On July 28 and 29, five Special Operations Group officers were killed near Wantey Dam before a reinforcement vehicle was later targeted by a bomb.
Earlier, on July 13, security forces killed 11 suspected militants during an operation that was believed to have disrupted a planned attack on a village.On July 25, police also stopped coordinated attacks targeting Fino camp and Arabia village, although a student was injured during the incident.
In January, an improvised explosive device hit a National Police Reserve patrol along the Mandera-Bulla Hawa route, killing two reservists and injuring others.
The repeated attacks have also complicated plans to reopen the Kenya-Somalia border, which has remained closed for more than 13 years. President William Ruto has previously spoken about reopening the border but has remained cautious, citing continued security concerns along the frontier.
For residents of Mandera, the latest attack is another reminder of the security challenges facing communities living along the Kenya-Somalia border.
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