Al-Shabaab militants on Thursday ransacked to medical facilities near Kenya-Somalia border, just two days after an attack in Mandera that left a police reservist dead.
In April, the militants abducted two Cuban doctors working in Mandera and took them to Gedo region where they are reportedly giving treatment to locals in the region.
Elders from Mandera said that the militants had asked for Sh150 million ransom but the government of Kenya reportedly asked them to reduce the amount.
“They seem to be under the care and offering medical care services to the locals,” said a security official who cited the elders’ message.
And on Thursday, the militants descended on Hawadley and Gololey villages where they reportedly stole medical equipments and drugs.
During the raid, Voice of America journalist Harun Maruf says, the militants also instructed locals to present their children for recruitment to the team.
"Overnight in Hawadley and Gololey villages North of Bal’ad, Al-Shabaab ransacked two medical centres supported by Int’l aid agencies. Locals say the militants have taken everything inside the centres. AS also instructed villagers to “present” their boys to be recruited as militants," he tweeted.
Last week, KDF troops foiled an attempt by the militants to run over their camp in Afmadow. During the encounter, several militants were reportedly killed.