Another deadly attack near Mpeketoni as Al-Shabaab declares Kenya a “war zone”

Mogadishu (Harar24) – In a second attack near Kenya’s coast within 24-hours has reportedly left at least 20 people dead, after Al-Shabaab insurgents raided villages near Mpeketoni town, in the county of Lamu, following a deteriorating sense of security in Kenya .

Officials and eyewitnesses have told reporters that heavily armed men, who are believed to have been the same men involved in yesterday’s attack on Mpeketoni leaving more than 50 dead, attacked the villages and began opening fire on the people, causing the deaths of numerous people.

The attacks have been claimed by the militant Al-Shabaab group, “We carried out another attack last night. We killed 20 people, mainly police and Kenyan wildlife wardens. The commandos have been going to several places looking for military personnel,” Al-Shabaab’s military spokesman, Abdulaziz Abu Mus’ab, told AFP. Kenyan officials also confirmed the attack, however put the death toll at 10 people, despite citing that the death toll could rise.

This second attack came after a previous deadly attack by Al-Shabaab on the town of Mpeketoni itself on Sunday night, killing more than 50 people and burning a police station, hotels, a gas station, a bank as well as several other properties.

Since Kenya’s invasion into Somalia almost 3 years ago, Kenya has become exposed to many recurring attacks believed to be linked to their invasion. The attacks are often blamed on Al-Shabaab or its sympathizers, however the militants released a statement yesterday officially declaring Kenya as a “war zone” urging all foreigners and tourists to stay away.