Kenya Foils Al-Shabaab Attack, Seizes Weapons in Nairobi

Nairobi, February 18, 2026 - The Kenyan military, led by soldiers from the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), successfully thwarted a planned attack by suspected Al-Shabaab operatives, authorities announced. The operation, carried out on February 18, 2026, followed careful monitoring of the suspects’ movements, communication networks, and other links. Acting on intelligence reports, CTS personnel intercepted a large cache of weapons, including 600 rounds of ammunition, small and large firearms, and explosives, intended for use in various parts of Nairobi City. “The plans of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group to kill many Kenyans have been foiled by the intelligence service,” the CTS statement said. Planned Attacks During Ramadan Initial investigations indicated that the group had planned attacks during the fasting month of Ramadan. Officials also revealed that the suspects had considered kidnapping foreigners as part of their operation. Kenyan security agencies emphasized that ongoing investigations aim to uncover additional activities linked to the planned attacks. Crackdown on Funding Networks Over the past two weeks, intelligence services identified 13 accounts used to fund terrorist activities, involving citizens from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. All accounts were subsequently closed, disrupting the financial networks supporting the planned operations. The successful intervention highlights Kenya’s continued vigilance against terrorism and its commitment to protecting civilians from potential threats.