MOMBASA, Kenya, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan authorities said Thursday they are questioning two terror suspects in the coastal city of Mombasa as the East African nation stepped up war against global terrorism.
Sources at the Anti-Terrorism Police confirmed that one of the suspects was arrested for being in possession of dangerous explosive materials which could be used to make a bomb while the other had attempted to spy military camp in the port city of Mombasa.
The police officers said the first suspect, Bakari Musa, a Tanzanian, was arrested at a highly secured military barracks situated in Nyali residential estate in Mombasa on Wednesday night.
"The suspect was spying Kenya military barracks when he was arrested by the military officers and handed over to Anti- Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU)," a police officer told Xinhua by telephone on Thursday.
Several key terror suspects have arrested Kenya capital city and Mombasa city among the two Iranian who are reportedly agents of the elite al-Quds division of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
Ahmed Abolfathi Mohamed and Sayed Mausour Mousavi are suspected of planning to detonate as many as 30 different bombs targeting British, U.S.and Israeli interests including facilities and prominent commercial and government buildings across Kenya.
The revelations prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn Iran on Tuesday it should take responsibility for the alleged heinous plot like that of 2002 against Israeli- owned Kikambala Hotel in Mombasa.
The country's security agencies have been on high alert after intelligent reports hinted that Al-Shabaab terrorists are escaping into the East African nation as the operation to rout the insurgents from Somalia gains momentum.
More border patrols have been intensified along the Kenya Somalia border in Kiunga and Dadaad refugee camps to combat the Al- Qaida-linked insurgents to gain entrance into the country.
The police source said the second suspect was also arrested after a contingent of paramilitary officers, Anti-terror police unit and bomb experts raided house in Likoni area of Mombasa.
The suspect Chris Orinik, an Australian, was arrested in the operation comprising of over 20 officers who were heavily armed early on Thursday. Orinik is suspect to be armed according to senior police officers who was among the team who conducted the raid.
Regional police commander, Aggrey Adoli confirmed that police were conducting raid in Likoni but could not divulge information about the arrest and if there was any recovery.
"I can confirm we have an operation going on in Likoni but I don't want to disclose much that might jeopardize the operation but will give you more details once I receive the report," Adoli told Xinhua by telephone.
Police officers were not willing to discuss details of the ongoing operation. However, sources said the Australian suspect could have global terrorism links.
Meanwhile Mombasa terror suspect behind the grenade attack Thabit Yaya Yasin has been discharged from hospital and in now likely to stand trial over the Bella Vista grenade attack in May that left one person dead and scores injured.
Coast Provisional Director Medical Services, Maurice Siminyu confirmed that the 32 year-old Yasin is now well and can be tried in court.
Police were waiting for him to recover from injuries sustained during the attacks before charging him in court along side second terror suspect Salim Athumani who was also arrested in connection with June 24 attack at Jericho Beer Bar that left 3 people dead in Mombasa.
"The leg injuries Yasin sustained as result of grenade in his leg have fully recovered and we have handed him to police to take next step," Siminyu said.
Yasin was arrested after witnesses positively identified him. Guards and revelers at the Bella Vista, identified Yasin as the man who attempted to attack the amusement spot, but were repulsed.
Witnesses said the suspect withdrew a pistol when challenged by the guards. During the confusion at the club, a grenade dropped and went off, wounding Yasin, who fled the scene on a tricycle.
A growing wave of insecurity prompted the country's Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere to carry out a major reshuffle of top police chiefs in a bid to restore peace in the volatile regions which have been affected by insecurity like northern Kenya.
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