Kenya´s counter terrorism unit is hunting down a meMber of the Alqaeda Somali branch. Abdulalhi Banati is accused of leading Hararar RCIED attacks that targeted Kenyan GSU officers on October 12th 2019. Intelligence reports indicate that Banati has been deployed to man Kenya – Somalia boarder.
He is the commander of Alshabaab operatives deployed to cause attacks along the porous boarder, targeting security personnels on patrol and innocent Kenyans. Counter terrorism units have traced his activities and cells under his command that are linked to numerous attacks along the boarder.
Reports reveal that he planned the attack on GSU officers in Garrisa areas with the help of accomplices in Dadaab complex. The complex also hosted the accomplices who carried the Garissa University attacks in 2015, it allowed the passage of attackers of Westgate in 2013 and the January attack at the Dusit D2 in Nairobi´s Riverside Estate.
Banati joined Al-shabaab in 2012, he attempted an attack on KDF in 2015 on the Forward Operating Base leading to a fierce fight that left ten Al-shabaab militants killed. He sustained injuries in the attack and retreated to Somali for recuperation.
He resurfaced in the 2018 and deployed by Al-shabaab to carry out commands along the Kenya -Somalia border. KCTU are calling on members of the public with information on Banati to come forward and report to aid in investigations.
