Nairobi, May 22 (IANS): Somali jihadi group Al Shabab launched a new attack against the Kenyan province of Garissa, but Kenyan security forces were able to intervene and prevent any casualties, according to a statement released by the Kenyan interior ministry on Friday.

The statement pointed out that the Kenyan security forces thwarted the attempted terror attack against Yumbis village in Ijara, Efe news agency reported.

"Security forces swiftly mobilised and engaged the militants in gun battle. No casualties were reported," interior ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka said in the statement.

Al Shabab militants were harassing residents in Yumbis when they were expelled by Kenyan police, Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet, said on Friday.

"Security forces last night ambushed an (Al Shabaab) mob, found harassing locals for food & water (in) Yumbis, Ijara. Attempted incursion repulsed," Boinnet tweeted.

The new attack in the eastern province comes nearly two months after Al Shabaab perpetrated a massacre at Garissa University, where 148 people were killed, in part due to the delayed response of the Kenyan army and police.