AFRICA.Kenya: The security architecture in Kenya’s major cities has been tightened following reports that US troops have killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the successor of Osama-bin-Laden who terrorised America until he was brought down.
Ayman, as per reports, was part of the masterminds of the 1998 terror attack on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The incursion claimed lives of over 200 people.
The reason for security standby in Kenya, according to security officials, was due to possible retaliation by the Al-Shabaab Islamist Jihadist Group notorious for disrupting the country’s peaceful atmosphere.
This is evident by the declaration made by the jihadist leader in a video released in February 2012. Ahmed Abdi Godane, the then Al-Shabaab leader declared that he “pledged obedience” to the slain al-Qaeda boss, Ayman.
Al-Shabaab was responsible for destructive attacks in various parts of Kenya, leading to the death of hundreds of citizens and other losses.
“We know some remnants may try to retaliate and we have changed the gear for now,” said a Kenyan security official.
He revealed that security agents manning various locations and facilities in Kenya were instructed to “heighten their vigilance and disrupt any possible threat”.
His Death is a Retaliation for Many Atrocities
Ayman was killed in a counter-terrorism attack Sunday by men of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the Afghan capital of Kabul.
Reports had it that Ayman was killed by airstrikes while on the balcony of a safe house. Stunningly, members of his family were present in the house, but none of them was harmed.
According to the United States President, Joe Biden, Ayman’s killing serves as a way of getting justice for the victims of violent attacks masterminded by him.
Ayman had “carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens,” said Biden who revealed that he gave the final approval for the “precision strike on the 71-year-old al-Qaeda leader after months of planning.”
Al-Shabaab Terror in Kenya
The brazen Al-Shabaab terrorists have launched a number of attacks in Kenya, especially near the Kenya-Somalia border, where towns like Mandera and Garissa were targeted several times.
Notable among the places attacked in the towns are military zones and other places where dozens of civilians were killed, while some were wounded.
Similarly, the terrorists have been planting explosives on the routes used by the security agencies, according to reports. In response to these unending attacks, Kenyan troops are in Somalia purposely to suppress the activities of the terror group.
Just yesterday, an armed group attacked Elram Anti-Stock Theft Unit Camp leaving three police officers injured. A week before, a similar attack was launched on the camp, though it was thwarted by the country’s troops.
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