British Special Forces Warned Of Kenya Attacks
19.05.2014
British Special Forces provided intel that led to the evacuation of British citizens from Kenya, ahead of a terrorist attack, it has been reported.
At least 10 people were killed when two bombs were exploded in the capital, Nairobi, on May 16th. The attacks have been attributed to the al-Shabaab terror group who have carried out numerous operations in Kenya, including an attack on a shopping mall last year.
The Daily Star claims [1] that the warning came as a result of signals intercepts picked up by a British Special Forces task force present in the country. A team from the Special Air Service (SAS) has reportedly been active in Kenya for several years. They are officially deployed in an advisory role in which they train and mentor Kenyan forces with the aim of improving their effectiveness in the fight against al-Shabaab.
British forces also use electronic surveillance to monitor and track al-Shabaab activity. One of the UK elements in Kenya include Light Electronic Warfare Teams (LEWTs). LEWTs are small teams of soldiers from the British Army's Royal Corps of Signals and Intelligence Corps who deploy alongside frontline troops, including Special Forces, in order to monitor, analyze and disrupt enemy communications.
The Daily Star reports that radio chatter indicating an imminent attack was picked up and passed on to the British Embassy in Kenya, which then conveyed it to London. The Foreign Office then issued an advisory, with the resulting evacuation of over 500 British citizens being facilitated through travel firms Thompson and First Choice.
British Special Forces are also currently deployed to Nigeria, in a similar mission, this time supporting Nigerian efforts against Boko Haram militants. They are currently reported to have joined an international effort to locate over 250 kidnapped schoolgirls.[2]
more info / further reading:
- 1. SAS tipped off British holiday makers in Kenya hours before bombings
(The Daily Star)
- 2. UKSF To Join Hunt For Kidnapped Schoolgirls
(Elite UK Forces report)
