Fighting erupts at the Kenya-Somalia border

 By Cyrus Ombati

There has been heavy fighting between Al-shabaab militia and Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government personnel near the Elwak Kenyan border in Mandera. Witnesses confirmed several casualties on both sides as the fighting to control the border town of Burahashe continued on Sunday.

At least 15 TFG soldiers are admitted at the Elwak Hospital in Kenya after being hit by the militia group. It is not yet clear how many are dead or injured from both sides as the fighting rages.
Locals who crossed from Somalia jammed the hospital to visit the victims as tension mounted amid claims the fighting was spreading to Kenya before the gang was repulsed.

“They have been chased but we fear they may come again to attack. People have died on both sides,” said a caller.

North Eastern PC Peter Ole Serian told The standard more security personnel had been taken to the area to contain the influx of people fleeing the fighting the town, which is less than 10 kilometers away.

“We are monitoring the situation but there is enough personnel on the ground to contain the situation,” he said on the phone.

The fighting broke out at dawn on Sunday when the terror group drove into the town on vehicles and launched an assault on TFG soldiers.
The town has been under control of TFG for months after Al-Shabaab men were chased away. Even though they left Mogadishu, Al-shabaab controls much of Somali and there are fears the gang may try to retake it.

Al-shabaab is classified as a terror group because of its link with Al-Qaeda. Coincidentally, the attack on Burahashe came as America marked ten years since the 9/11 attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
As in previous anniversaries, the names of all the victims will be read out at the New York event.

The CIA received a warning last week that al-Qaeda may have sent attackers, some of them possibly US citizens, to bomb one of the cities. The warning was described by officials as "credible but unconfirmed". However, President Barack Obama has said the US remains vigilant against terrorism.