MANDERA (SD) – Kenyan police on Friday evening repelled an attack by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera County, near the Somalia-Kenya border.

According to Kenyan authorities, an unspecified number of suspected Al-Shabaab fighters attacked a security camp in the Fino area. Security forces responded swiftly and successfully drove back the attackers.

A security statement said one student was seriously injured after being shot in the stomach during the attack. The student was rushed to hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

Security forces have since launched search operations in the area to ensure there are no remaining security threats.

Residents said the attack in Fino began between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time. Roughly an hour later, another suspected attack was reported in the nearby area of Arabia. Witnesses also reported hearing heavy gunfire in the Asharaf area of Mandera County.

Mandera and other counties in northeastern Kenya have experienced repeated attacks by Al-Shabaab since Kenya deployed troops to Somalia in 2011 as part of regional efforts to combat the militant group.

The latest incident comes as Kenya has heightened its nationwide security alert following recent threats by Al-Shabaab to carry out retaliatory attacks unless Kenyan forces withdraw from Somalia.

The attack demonstrates Al-Shabaab’s continued ability to threaten border communities despite intensified security operations. Although Kenyan forces successfully repelled the assault, the incident highlights the group’s ongoing cross-border capabilities and the persistent security risks facing northeastern Kenya as long as the insurgency in neighboring Somalia continues.