Kenyan security forces. Photo: Screenshot.

JNS.org – Israel was among several countries that warned Kenya that it was at risk for a major terror attack before the Nairobi mall shooting took place, according to intelligence reports that were leaked to Kenyan newspapers.

“Israel had warned of attacks on their business interests but apart from just being tossed from one office to another, nothing was taken out of the intelligence reports,” said one anonymous Kenyan official, AFP reported.

According to the intelligence report that was leaked to Kenyan newspapers, Israel, which has close ties with Kenya, warned the government of possible attacks in September, especially on Jewish targets. Iran and Hezbollah were cited in one report as possibly planning a terror attack.

In particular, the Westgate mall—site of the recent terror attack by Somalia’s al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab group that killed at least 67 people—was cited as a prime target due to the number of Israeli-owned businesses located there.

“The Israeli embassy in Nairobi has raised concern with the foreign affairs ministry that Iran and Hezbollah from Lebanon have been collecting operational intelligence and open interests in Israeli and Jewish targets around the world including Kenya,” the intelligence report said, according to AFP.