US warns of Al-Shabaab attacks in Kenyan airspace

Smoke billows at the Manda-Magogoni naval base in Lamu County, at Kenya's coast, on January 5, 2020 after an al-Shabaab attack. PHOTO | POOL

The US government has issued a new warning to civilian airlines flying in the Kenyan airspace to watch out for possible attacks by militant groups, in what could heighten anxiety for the industry already weighed down by massive financial losses due to travel restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) said the advisory is consistent with the fact that Somalia-based terrorist group, Al-Shabaab remains in possession of weapons capable of hitting aircraft at low altitudes of up to 25,000 feet — putting at risk arrival and departure phases of flights, especially on the popular aviation route through northeastern Kenya and Somalia.