A major international counter-terrorism operation in East Africa has led to the arrest of 37 suspects and the seizure of weapons, including small arms and heavy ordnance, across eight countries. Of those apprehended, 17 suspects were arrested in Kenya, marking a significant step in the fight against terrorism in the region.
According to a statement from Interpol, the operation conducted jointly with AFRIPOL between November and December 2024 targeted individuals linked to terrorism and focused on strengthening border security across participating countries.
“In Kenya, police arrested 17 people, including two suspected ISIS members, several foreign terrorist fighters, and others involved in terrorism financing, radicalization, and propaganda,” the statement detailed.
The arrests are part of broader efforts to tackle the persistent threat of terrorism in East Africa, a region with porous borders and geopolitical challenges that foster the activities of terror groups such as ISIS and Al-Shabaab. Kenya, a frequent target of terror attacks, has ramped up security measures in collaboration with international agencies, a strategy that has borne fruit in recent years.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who has been overseeing the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, highlighted that between January 2022 and November 2024, 27 terrorist plots were successfully thwarted in Kenya. He credited this to enhanced cooperation with global agencies, investments in security training, and advanced equipment.
The Interpol operation extended its reach beyond Kenya. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, police apprehended four alleged members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and seized heavy weaponry, including a missile and anti-tank device. Somali authorities detained three suspects, including an alleged bomb maker for Al-Shabaab. Meanwhile, in Tanzania, arrests included an alleged member of ISIS Mozambique and a Ugandan national attempting to join a terrorist group.
To bolster the initiative, frontline officers were equipped with Interpol Mobile Devices, providing real-time access to databases containing critical intelligence on foreign terrorist fighters, lost travel documents, and other criminal data.
Cyril Gout, Interpol’s Acting Executive Director of Police Services, emphasized the need for international cooperation to counter evolving terrorist threats. Similarly, Ambassador Jalel Chelba of AFRIPOL noted that addressing both immediate threats and systemic vulnerabilities is essential for regional stability.
The operation underscores the critical role of coordinated international efforts in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of East Africa’s citizens.
