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Kenyan policeman killed in Dadaab blast near Somalia | Kenyan policeman killed in Dadaab blast near Somalia |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An explosion near the world's largest refugee camp in Kenya has killed at least one policeman, police say. | An explosion near the world's largest refugee camp in Kenya has killed at least one policeman, police say. |
Two other officers were wounded when a suspected roadside bomb detonated near the Dadaab camp, Reuters news agency reports. | Two other officers were wounded when a suspected roadside bomb detonated near the Dadaab camp, Reuters news agency reports. |
The camp houses about 450,000 people who have fled famine and conflict in Somalia. | The camp houses about 450,000 people who have fled famine and conflict in Somalia. |
A Kenyan official has told the BBC that he suspects Somali militants of carrying out the explosion. | A Kenyan official has told the BBC that he suspects Somali militants of carrying out the explosion. |
Kenya has sent troops to Somalia to pursue the al Shabab Islamist group it blames for a recent wave of abductions. | Kenya has sent troops to Somalia to pursue the al Shabab Islamist group it blames for a recent wave of abductions. |
Al-Shabab said the Kenyan incursion was an act of war and it would take revenge. | Al-Shabab said the Kenyan incursion was an act of war and it would take revenge. |
Al-Shabab blamed | Al-Shabab blamed |
"We heard an explosion and on our arrival saw the vehicle ripped in two. The front part of the wreckage was lying on top of the mutilated body of the driver," a private security officer told Reuters. | |
"Two other badly wounded policemen were pulled out of the wreckage," he said. | "Two other badly wounded policemen were pulled out of the wreckage," he said. |
Acting Dadaab District Commissioner Bernard Ole Kipury told the BBC's Focus on Africa that he suspects al-Shabab was behind the blast. | Acting Dadaab District Commissioner Bernard Ole Kipury told the BBC's Focus on Africa that he suspects al-Shabab was behind the blast. |
"It's a way for al-Shabab to get back at the Kenyan government for sending troops to Somalia," he said, accusing the militants of disguising themselves as refugees to enter the camp. | "It's a way for al-Shabab to get back at the Kenyan government for sending troops to Somalia," he said, accusing the militants of disguising themselves as refugees to enter the camp. |
He added that the authorities have intensified patrols in the camp and would soon be conducting operations to flush out the militants. | He added that the authorities have intensified patrols in the camp and would soon be conducting operations to flush out the militants. |
The BBC's Bashkas Jugsodaay in the capital, Nairobi, says Dadaab residents told him there is a heavy security force presence at the camp, and police have even sealed off the hospital. | The BBC's Bashkas Jugsodaay in the capital, Nairobi, says Dadaab residents told him there is a heavy security force presence at the camp, and police have even sealed off the hospital. |
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Dadaab earlier this month, but did not enter the refugee camp because of security concerns. | UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Dadaab earlier this month, but did not enter the refugee camp because of security concerns. |
The blast was the latest in a series of explosions targeting policemen, near the Kenya-Somalia border. | The blast was the latest in a series of explosions targeting policemen, near the Kenya-Somalia border. |
Earlier this month, a policeman was killed another three wounded in a similar blast around Dadaab. | Earlier this month, a policeman was killed another three wounded in a similar blast around Dadaab. |
Two Spanish women working for the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Dadaab were kidnapped in October. | Two Spanish women working for the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Dadaab were kidnapped in October. |
Other abductions include a Kenyan driver also seized from Dadaab, a British woman taken from a coastal resort and a French woman who suffered from cancer. | Other abductions include a Kenyan driver also seized from Dadaab, a British woman taken from a coastal resort and a French woman who suffered from cancer. |
French authorities say she has since died in Somalia. | French authorities say she has since died in Somalia. |
Al-Shabab denies involvement in the abductions. | Al-Shabab denies involvement in the abductions. |
Somalia has not had a functioning central government for more than 20 years and has been badly affected by fighting between various militias. | Somalia has not had a functioning central government for more than 20 years and has been badly affected by fighting between various militias. |
The UN says it is the world's worst humanitarian situation, with famine conditions in three southern areas. | The UN says it is the world's worst humanitarian situation, with famine conditions in three southern areas. |