Al Shabaab Employ New Tactic at the Coast

A section of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers on Monday revealed that women are being used by Al Shabaab as spies.

According to the officers, women were being sent as spies in areas targeted in operations to see what was happening on the ground.

Those who spoke to the Nation in Galmaghala, Ijara, Bodhei, Milimani, Basuba, Mararani, Ishakani and Kiunga villages stated that they had been forced to send women out of some villages after discovering they were sent as spies and to plan attacks.

[caption caption="File image of women in Hijab"][/caption]

“We are extra cautious nowadays. We have on several occasions chased away very beautiful women whom we suspect of being spies of Al-Shabaab.

"They always target villages that closely border our camps. They have tried establishing a close relationship with us while others are even willing to become lovers of some officers,” revealed a GSU officer who requested anonymity.

The officers further added that they became suspicious of the women since attacks often followed their visits.

“We became suspicious of them since any time the women are seen, barely two days would go by before we are attacked by Al-Shabaab.

"We have decided not to entertain them anymore. We suspect they are agents sent to try and confuse us and get information," added the officer.

Last week, police warned that Al Shabaab might be planning fresh attacks in Lamu and a number of surrounding counties.

Lamu County commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo stated that militants belonging to Jaysh Ayman, an Islamist insurgent group with links to Al Shabaab could be planning attacks.

He asked residents to report any suspicious activities because members of the militant group had been spotted in Ijara sub-county in Garissa.

[caption caption="File image of KDF officers at an operation"][/caption]

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