Manda Airport in Lamu County has been closed indefinitely following an invasion by Al Shabaab militants on Sunday morning.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has also suspended all inbound and outbound flights following the incident.
Some of the airlines that have confirmed cancellation of their flights include Fly540 and Fly Skyward Express.
Please note the following for Lamu.https://t.co/MxoBhvmioL pic.twitter.com/tz03bfTz6W
— Fly540.com (@Fly540Aviation) January 5, 2020
MANDA AIRPORT CLOSURE!
We regret to inform passengers traveling with us in and out of Lamu that the airport has been closed until further notice.
For any queries or assistance, please contact our team on 0709 786 000 / 0740 410 703 / 0740 410 700.
— Fly Skyward Express (@SkywardExpress) January 5, 2020
The airstrip is just next “Camp Simba” naval base that hosts US and Kenyan military troops.
Read: KDF Speaks After Al Shabaab Launched Attack On US-Kenya Military Base In Lamu
Earlier, a military source told Reuters that the militants were trying to access the base from the airstrip.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said in a statement that the terrorist attack was repulsed with four gunmen being killed.
“Arising from the unsuccessful breach a fire broke out affecting some of the fuel tanks located at the airstrip. The fire has been put under control and standard security procedures are now on-going,” said KDF Spokesman Paul Njuguna.
Police have also arrested five people in connection with the attack and are being interrogated.
Al Shabab through its affiliate media claimed responsibility saying its fighters “partially seized & destroyed” the camp, inflicted “severe casualties” on the troops.
The attack comes just days after Al Shabaab fighters hijacked a Lamu-bound bus at Nyongoro area within Lamu County.
Read Also: Al Shabaab Militants Attack US-Kenya Military Base In Lamu
Three people were killed and three others injured during the incident.
Kenyan security teams deployed in the area confirmed that four gunmen were shot dead and one captured alive.
Lamu is notorious for such attacks with the militants hiding in Boni forest when confronted by local security teams.
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