British Pair Arrested Near Somalia Border
Two Britons have been arrested in Kenya near the border with Somalia, police have confirmed.
An al Shabaab soldier stands next to women at a food distribution point in Somalia
Sky News sources understand they were held on suspicion of being associated with Islamist militant group al Shabaab.
The pair, believed to be from Cardiff, were detained on Sunday.
South Wales Police say they are in contact with local law enforcement to establish the circumstances of the detention. Relatives have been notified.
Police said they were also liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Embassy in Nairobi.
The Foreign Office said it was aware "of reports of two British nationals detained in Kenya on October 16 and we are seeking normal consular access".
Kenya has sent its troops deep inside Somalia this week hunting Shabaab militants, after recent kidnappings of foreigners in beach resorts and in a crowded refugee camp.
The Islamists have denied any responsibility.
The Islamists have denied any responsibility.
Tourists and aid workers have been kidnapped from Kenya recently
Backed by aerial bombings and guided by pro-government Somali forces, Kenyan troops moved deeper into southern Somalia.
Kenyan soldiers were reported near the village of Qoqani, some 50 miles inside southern Somalia, a Shabaab stronghold.
An elder in a nearby village said he saw around 30 trucks and tanks with hundreds of troops.
Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage told reporters: "Kenya has peace, its cities have tall buildings and business is booming there, while Somalia is in chaos.
"If your government ignores our calls to stop its aggression on Somali soil, we will strike at the heart of your interests."
Kenyan soldiers were reported near the village of Qoqani, some 50 miles inside southern Somalia, a Shabaab stronghold.
An elder in a nearby village said he saw around 30 trucks and tanks with hundreds of troops.
Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage told reporters: "Kenya has peace, its cities have tall buildings and business is booming there, while Somalia is in chaos.
"If your government ignores our calls to stop its aggression on Somali soil, we will strike at the heart of your interests."
Briton David Tebbutt was murdered in Kenya by kidnappers from Somalia
In a statement on Monday the group said: "Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahideen hereby categorically denies all charges pertaining to the kidnapping of tourists and aid workers from inside Kenya.
"The allegations put forward by the Kenyan authorities with regard to the recent kidnappings are, at best, unfounded and ... not substantiated with any verifiable evidence.
In the past five weeks Briton Judith Tebbutt and a French woman have been abducted from beach resorts in two separate incidents. Mrs Tebbutt's husband was killed.
On Thursday, two Spanish aid workers were seized by gunmen from Kenya's crowded Dadaab refugee camp.
On Thursday, two Spanish aid workers were seized by gunmen from Kenya's crowded Dadaab refugee camp.
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