BBC MONITORING INTERNATIONAL REPORTS: KENYA: ARMY SAID ON FULL ALERT AT
BORDER AFTER FIGHTING IN SOMALIA INTENSIFIES
100% match; BBC Monitoring Service -
United Kingdom ; 18-Feb-2000 12:00:00 am ; 224 words
Text of report by Kenyan newspaper `East African Standard' web site on 18th February
The government has beefed [up] security along the Kenya-Somali border following
intensified clan fighting in Doble of Somalia, Northeastern
PC [Provincial Commissioner] Maurice Makhanu has said. The PC said a security team, led by
a detachment of Seventh Battalion of the Kenya Army, regular and administration police are
on full alert in Liboi town [eastern Kenya]. He refuted allegations in Garissa town
[northeastern Kenya] that there was a spillover of retreating militiamen from the conflict
in Somalia.
The PC who is also the chairman of the Provincial Security Committee said the 1,000
km-long border is porous, but assured the residents that there was no cause for alarm due
to a heavy presence of security personnel in the area. He said the government has sealed
its border from Diis [phonetic] in Wajir to Hulugho with heavily-armed security personnel
to closely monitor events in Somalia.
Doble was the scene of last week's bloody fight between militia of Awlyahan and
Muhammad Zuberi sub clans of the bigger Ogaden clans. The fighting over control of the
town claimed the lives of over 30 militiamen.
Over the weekend, 21 Awlyahan and six Muhammad Zuberi militiamen were killed in renewed
fighting in Doble town and tension is reportedly high.
Meanwhile, the fighting subsided but the Awlyahan are regrouping for a counter
offensive while the Muhammad Zuberi are strengthening their grip on the town.
Source: `East African Standard' web site, Nairobi, in English 18 Feb 00
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