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Somalia's al-Shabab enters Kenyan village | Somalia's al-Shabab enters Kenyan village |
(35 minutes later) | |
Somalia's militant Islamist group al-Shabab has entered a remote village in north-eastern Kenya, despite the fact that it is only about 15km (nine miles) from a military base, residents say. | Somalia's militant Islamist group al-Shabab has entered a remote village in north-eastern Kenya, despite the fact that it is only about 15km (nine miles) from a military base, residents say. |
Hundreds of people have now fled Warankara and schools have shut, they said. | |
This is only the second time that al-Shabab is known to have occupied territory in Kenya. | This is only the second time that al-Shabab is known to have occupied territory in Kenya. |
The al-Qaeda-linked group has its headquarters in neighbouring Somalia. | The al-Qaeda-linked group has its headquarters in neighbouring Somalia. |
The BBC Somali Service's Mohammed Mohammed says al-Shabab appears to be implementing its threat to "take the war" to Kenya. | The BBC Somali Service's Mohammed Mohammed says al-Shabab appears to be implementing its threat to "take the war" to Kenya. |
Last month, it invaded Yumbis town, also in the north-east, before withdrawing without a fight. | Last month, it invaded Yumbis town, also in the north-east, before withdrawing without a fight. |
Latest African news updates | Latest African news updates |
Residents in Warankara, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, told the BBC that the militants have been patrolling the village. | |
People were scared, but the gunmen have not harmed anyone, they said. | People were scared, but the gunmen have not harmed anyone, they said. |
The militant had also given sermons in village, residents added. | |
Deadliest attack | Deadliest attack |
A senator for the area, Bilow Adan Kero, told the BBC Somali Service that he had received similar reports from the village. | A senator for the area, Bilow Adan Kero, told the BBC Somali Service that he had received similar reports from the village. |
He urged the government to take urgent steps to curb the insurgency. | He urged the government to take urgent steps to curb the insurgency. |
Residents said the security forces have not intervened to drive out the militants. | Residents said the security forces have not intervened to drive out the militants. |
Warankara is in Kenya's Mandera County, close to the military camp in Dambas town and the border with Somalia. | |
In April, al-Shabab militants launched an assault on a university in the north-eastern town of Garissa, killing 148 people in what was the deadliest ever attack by the group. | In April, al-Shabab militants launched an assault on a university in the north-eastern town of Garissa, killing 148 people in what was the deadliest ever attack by the group. |
The insurgents have stepped up attacks in Kenya since losing key cities and towns in Somalia to an African Union (AU) force, which includes Kenyan troops. | The insurgents have stepped up attacks in Kenya since losing key cities and towns in Somalia to an African Union (AU) force, which includes Kenyan troops. |