Meria
Elder Lister
Civilian airlines operating in Kenyan airspace have been warned of the possibility of a terror attack.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urged operators of aircraft flying over Kenya to exercise caution because the jihadist group Al-Shabaab poses a threat to aviation.
“... Al-Shabaab… is the predominate extremist/militant threat concern in Kenya and has demonstrated its capability and intent to conduct attacks against Kenyan government security forces, civilians, and Western interests in Kenya, including joint civil-military airfields, primarily near Kenya’s eastern border with Somalia and in the coastal region of Kenya adjacent to Somalia,” read the statement.
The FAA added that the militant group has expressed the intent to conduct additional attacks, including against aviation-related targets, in retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia as part of the African Union mission.
“Al-Shabaab maintains freedom of movement in the Kenya-Somalia border region and has expressed intent to conduct additional attacks against Kenyan targets
“In retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia as part of the African Union mission to counter al-Shabaab, and could conduct additional attacks, including against aviation-related targets, with little-to-no warning,” added FAA.
At the same time, the US Embassy has urged members of the public to exercise vigilance in public places.
The US Embassy noted that this is due to the potential for increased crime and acts of violent extremism in Kenya this time of year.
“The U.S. Embassy reminds the public of the continued need for sustained vigilance in public locations such as shopping malls, hotels, airports, clubs, restaurants, transportation hubs, schools, places of worship and other areas frequented by tourists,” a Security Alert issued on February 28 stated.
“Public events, such as demonstrations and celebratory gatherings, are also at a higher risk for violence.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urged operators of aircraft flying over Kenya to exercise caution because the jihadist group Al-Shabaab poses a threat to aviation.
“... Al-Shabaab… is the predominate extremist/militant threat concern in Kenya and has demonstrated its capability and intent to conduct attacks against Kenyan government security forces, civilians, and Western interests in Kenya, including joint civil-military airfields, primarily near Kenya’s eastern border with Somalia and in the coastal region of Kenya adjacent to Somalia,” read the statement.
The FAA added that the militant group has expressed the intent to conduct additional attacks, including against aviation-related targets, in retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia as part of the African Union mission.
“Al-Shabaab maintains freedom of movement in the Kenya-Somalia border region and has expressed intent to conduct additional attacks against Kenyan targets
“In retaliation for Kenya sending troops to Somalia as part of the African Union mission to counter al-Shabaab, and could conduct additional attacks, including against aviation-related targets, with little-to-no warning,” added FAA.
At the same time, the US Embassy has urged members of the public to exercise vigilance in public places.
The US Embassy noted that this is due to the potential for increased crime and acts of violent extremism in Kenya this time of year.
“The U.S. Embassy reminds the public of the continued need for sustained vigilance in public locations such as shopping malls, hotels, airports, clubs, restaurants, transportation hubs, schools, places of worship and other areas frequented by tourists,” a Security Alert issued on February 28 stated.
“Public events, such as demonstrations and celebratory gatherings, are also at a higher risk for violence.”
