The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in an advisory dated February 26, issued a warning on possible terror attacks on Kenya's airspace.
"Persons advised to exercise extreme caution when flying into, out of, within, or over the territory and airspace of Kenya East of 40 degrees, East longitude at altitudes below FL260 due to the possibility of extremist/militant activity," the statement reads in part.
"All US air carriers and commercial operators, all persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except such persons operating US registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier, and all operators of aircraft registered in the United States, except where the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier," the statement adds.
FAA demanded that airlines exercise extreme caution during the flight operations due to the possibility of attacks by extremists on civil aviation. They warned that aircraft may encounter fire from small arms, indirect fire weapons, such as mortars and rocket launchers, anti-aircraft capable weapons, including man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS).
"Such weapons could target aircraft at low altitudes, including during the arrival and departure phases of flights, target airports and aircraft on the ground, especially at airfields located east of 40 degrees east," the statement concludes.
FAA directed that the airlines and persons flying above, within, in and out the Kenyan airspace review the current security threat information. The agency directed that they comply with the applicable regulations, and operation specifications.
Airlines were advised to report security-related challenges they face while within Kenya's airspace. FAA further directed that they share their schedule at least 72 hours before entering Kenya's airspace.
FAA stated that it will reevaluate the advisory on February 26, 2021.
The directive comes after the United States (US) Africa Command on Tuesday, February 24 confirmed the killing of a senior Al-Shabaab leader believed to be responsible for terrorist attacks in Kenya.
The terrorist, alleged to be behind the attack on a military base in Manda Bay, Lamu on January 5, was killed alongside his wife in precision air-strikes conducted on Sunday, February 22 by the United States in Saakow, Somalia.
"Post-strike assessments confirm the two terrorists killed in the February 22 precision airstrikes were an individual associated with the attack on Manda Bay and his wife, who was also a known Al-Shabaab member.
"The two terrorists were identified as a senior Al-Shabaab leader, who was in charge of planning and directing terrorist operations on the Kenya border region, including the recent attack on Manda Bay, and his wife, who also was a witting and active member of Al-Shabaab responsible for facilitating a wide range of terrorist activities," a statement from US Africa Command read in part.
