Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium.

Civilians flee through a window at a hotel complex. Aftenposten in Norwegian. Interpol Secretary-General Ronald Noble condemned the assault and pledged full support to Kenyan authorities in their investigation, offering to deploy an Incident Response Team consisting of specialised forensic officers, counter-terrorism experts, operational assistants and analysts. Retrieved 19 March The attack killed 14 people. The Guardian. Gunshots can now be heard again outside the complex, sending some people running for cover behind cars and screaming. Retrieved 24 September

Start your Independent Premium subscription today. An injured woman is evacuated from the scene of an explosion. Bloomberg correspondent Marco Lui was on the second floor of the mall when the attack started; he said that two explosions happened within about five minutes of each other. It is still not clear how many casualties have been caused by the incident. Share this story Twitter Facebook. There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. Washington Post. BBC news.

ABC News. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. Namespaces Article Talk. New York. In the last year, al-Shabaab has been the target of an intense campaign of US airstrikes. Log in. The terrorist group, composed of roughly 7, to 9, fighters , has two main goals that Kenya keeps thwarting.

The Canadian Press. I saw them shoot. Who are the jihadi extremist group al-Shabaab and what are their goals? Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the "heartless acts against defenceless civilians" and pledged to "stand shoulder to shoulder with Kenya. View offers. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 September British police officers based in Kenya arrived on the scene to help Kenyan counter-terrorism officials, and Kenyan officials began an investigation. Independent Online.

A woman behind the woman in front is reunited with her family after her evacuation from the dusitD2 complex. His security forces tell him that this terror organisation was not targeting Israelis. Mohammed VI of Morocco expressed "profound emotion and indignation"; [] Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete [] and South African President Jacob Zuma also expressed condolences and reiterated support for Kenyan and international efforts "aimed at peacekeeping, stability, democracy and nation-building in Somalia. Kenyan special forces take position outside a hotel complex. Approximately people were wounded in the mass shooting. The attack has been described as one of the worst acts of terrorism in Kenya since the bombing of the U. Later we heard them come inside. Retrieved 18 March I think so.

On the day the operation ended, Rage threatened further "black days" unless Kenya withdrew its troops from Somalia and said that the siege was just "a taste of what we will do. An unexploded grenade lies in a hallway of an upscale hotel complex. British police officers based in Kenya arrived on the scene to help Kenyan counter-terrorism officials, and Kenyan officials began an investigation. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Lenku said that between 10 and 15 gunmen were involved in the attack and that Kenyan forces had control of security cameras installed inside the shopping complex. The assailants threw grenades and shot wildly at innocent shoppers, ultimately killing at least 67 people. Retrieved 21 September Earlier this week, al-Shabaab media reported the group had executed an Isis commander in Somalia. There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts.

Survivors of the deadly attack described a massive explosion and the bodies of people shot dead while sitting at a cafe. Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab claimed that it carried out the attack, the AP reported. Smoke over Westgate shopping mall on 23 September People gather at a police road block after the attack at an upscale hotel complex. Nairobi , Kenya. The group is the deadliest jihadi organisation in sub-Saharan Africa, largely operating in Somalia but known for brutal attacks on neighbouring Kenya. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. The terrorist group has killed hundreds of Kenyans since it declared in that it would retaliate against Kenya for sending troops to fight in Somalia.

These have inflicted significant casualties and killed several senior leaders. Daily Coronavirus Briefing. The Independent. A survivor of the attack on a hotel complex in Nairobi has said he saw the bodies of at least two people at the scene. The African Union Commission. Chat with creators. Independent Online. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the "heartless acts against defenceless civilians" and pledged to "stand shoulder to shoulder with Kenya.

Retrieved 24 September Kimaiyo said: "Our officers are on the ground carrying out an evacuation of those inside as they search for the attackers who are said to be inside. She also expressed the AU's solidarity with the government and people of Kenya. The movement is riven by factional feuding and faces competition from Islamic State. On the day the operation ended, Rage threatened further "black days" unless Kenya withdrew its troops from Somalia and said that the siege was just "a taste of what we will do. Kevin Yorke of the NYPD's Intelligence Division also acknowledged that the NYPD investigation, which did not have representatives among the group of western investigators assisting Kenya with the probe, [2] was "based solely on open-source information we gathered and is unclassified. Air Force Maj. Initially, the Ministry of Interior said: "It is a possibility that it is an attack by terrorists, so we are treating the matter very seriously. BBC News. Earlier this week, al-Shabaab media reported the group had executed an Isis commander in Somalia.

Washington has played a role in that decline. Archived 28 September at Archive. Create a commenting name to join the debate Submit Submit. Archived from the original on 28 September Post Post. Show 0 comments. I think so. What I have seen is terrible. ABC News. The New Zealand Herald.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to reporters. An ex-SAS man and a former Irish soldier helped to save lives. Retrieved 19 March The Irish Independent. Play Video. Retrieved 4 November Chat with creators. Others were asked to name the mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad to distinguish Muslims from non-Muslims. Civilians flee as security forces aim their weapons at a hotel complex. Air Force Maj.

On 4 November , four individuals reported to be Somali nationals were charged by a Kenyan court in relation to the attack. Gunshots can now be heard again outside the complex, sending some people running for cover behind cars and screaming. The group has some networks in Kenya itself, mainly providing logistic support and recruits. Join the discussion Retrieved 10 October The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Retrieved 26 January Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. Many countries expressed their condemnation of the attacks and sympathy for those affected, including Argentina, [] [] Canada, [] Chile, [] China, [] Colombia, [] Eritrea , [] Hungary, [] India, [] Iran, [] Israel, [22] [] Italy, [] Serbia, [] Somalia, [] Tanzania, [] the United States, [] Venezuela, [] and Trinidad and Tobago.

It was reported on 10 October that the police, army, and intelligence services had been engaging in "blame games" after the attack. Robert Murire told AP he saw attackers wearing green and wrapped in ammunition belts. The Malay Mail. Approximately people were wounded in the mass shooting. On 4 November , a Kenyan court charged four Somali nationals with harbouring the gunmen in their homes, with each pleading not guilty. But the timing of the attack remains a mystery. The Kenyan Cabinet was expected to establish a formal commission of inquiry. The Sydney Morning Herald.

Share this story Twitter Facebook. Mall security guards used shopping carts to ferry out wounded children. Approximately people were wounded in the mass shooting. He indicated that there were three bodies there while he pointed to a pool of blood by a children's shoe shop. Go behind the scenes. Kenya, which borders Somalia, has a large Muslim and ethnic Somali population that the group feels it could free and even bring into its ranks. European External Action Service. View offers.

Daily News. Kenyan special forces take position outside a hotel complex. Under fire, they organised the rescue of terrified shoppers. Smoke over Westgate shopping mall on 23 September Cancel Flag comment Flag comment. What I have seen is terrible. People are evacuated from a building after a bomb blast at an office attached to the dusitD2 hotel. The attack killed 14 people. A second factor may be to influence public opinion in Kenya.

The Guardian. Share this story Twitter Facebook. It started fighting an insurgency in the country in after it split off from a bigger organization that Ethiopian forces eventually defeated. It's really quite a shocking thing because from what we're getting, they aren't ordinary thugs. South Korea. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? A grenade was also spotted outside the hotel. Some international forensic teams had reportedly returned home, frustrated that they were not allowed full access to the mall.

The Irish Independent. In the days following the initial attack, Kenyan soldiers were sent in the mall to rescue people inside and find the gunmen. Witness accounts suggested at least five people had died and some hospitals appealed for blood donations in the wake of the assault. Submit Submit. Nairobi , Kenya. He indicated that there were three bodies there while he pointed to a pool of blood by a children's shoe shop. There were additional reports of grenade explosions. Kenyan Red Cross workers provide first aid to injured victims during an ongoing attack in Nairobi on Jan. The incident followed threats from Al-Shabaab in late of attacks in Kenya in retaliation for Operation Linda Nchi , a coordinated military operation in southern Somalia that was launched against the group by the Somali Armed Forces and Kenya Defence Forces.

The group has some networks in Kenya itself, mainly providing logistic support and recruits. Kenyan police have foiled several similar al-Shabaab attacks over recent years, though several investigations have shown corruption has allowed extremists to move with ease across the border with Somalia. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Independent Premium comments 0 Independent Premium comments Open comments 0 open comments. Cancel Delete comment Delete comment. Civilians flee through a window at a hotel complex. Subscribe to Independent Premium. The number of casualties is not the primary objective. Kenyan special forces take position outside a hotel complex. Retrieved 26 January

Retrieved 26 January The attack has been described as one of the worst acts of terrorism in Kenya since the bombing of the U. Retrieved 19 March Log in here. Some international forensic teams had reportedly returned home, frustrated that they were not allowed full access to the mall. The attack killed 14 people. Sign up Already have an account? Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Lenku said that between 10 and 15 gunmen were involved in the attack and that Kenyan forces had control of security cameras installed inside the shopping complex.

Reuse this content. Retrieved 23 August Archived from the original on 25 September Sign up Already have an account? The incident followed threats from Al-Shabaab in late of attacks in Kenya in retaliation for Operation Linda Nchi , a coordinated military operation in southern Somalia that was launched against the group by the Somali Armed Forces and Kenya Defence Forces. However, attackers are often brought in from Somalia. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 27 February

Ambulances were present at the mall as rescuers started moving emerging victims. The Independent. One Kenyan intelligence official said information passed on by security partners about planned attacks lacked detail but that the country had been on high alert since November. Gunshots can now be heard again outside the complex, sending some people running for cover behind cars and screaming. The New Zealand Herald. Washington has played a role in that decline. The Telegraph. Vehicles riddled with bullet holes were left abandoned in front of the mall.

Many countries expressed their condemnation of the attacks and sympathy for those affected, including Argentina, [] [] Canada, [] Chile, [] China, [] Colombia, [] Eritrea , [] Hungary, [] India, [] Iran, [] Israel, [22] [] Italy, [] Serbia, [] Somalia, [] Tanzania, [] the United States, [] Venezuela, [] and Trinidad and Tobago. Log in here. Authorities did not release official death toll and injury figures, nor detail of how many attackers were thought to have been involved. I think so. Al-Shabaab, which has said its mujahideen were responsible for the assault, has launched a series of terrorist operations in Kenya in recent years. Cancel Flag comment Flag comment. Eyewitnesses were reported to have seen 50 bodies in the mall. The Independent.

Special forces protect people near the hotel complex DusitD2 where a huge blast followed by a gun battle rocked the hotel and office complex on January 15, Regardless of the specific motive for this attack, experts warn that no matter how many times authorities count out al-Shabaab, they somehow find a way to pull off an attack and keep the fighting going. Police Inspector General Joseph Boinnet said a car had exploded around 3 p. Chicago Tribune. Police told the AP that they had denoted a car containing explosives. On 20 September , Foreign Policy magazine reported the Westgate attack on 21 September lasted several hours, with the last victim killed before special Kenyan security forces entered the mall, [7] which was also corroborated by New York City Police Department , [8] HBO , [9] and United States Army. Topics Kenya. Kenyatta said to the nation that "the criminals are now all located in one place within the building She also expressed the AU's solidarity with the government and people of Kenya.

On 10 October , it was reported that President Kenyatta had admitted that the Westgate operation was "bungled", and undertook to carry out a complete investigation. Washington has played a role in that decline. In the last year, al-Shabaab has been the target of an intense campaign of US airstrikes. Gara was in a vehicle hit by a missile near the town of Dinsoor in southern Somalia. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Write to Maïa Booker at maia. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Smoke over Westgate shopping mall on 23 September The operation is going on. The two suspects were from a Nairobi neighbourhood where Somali immigrants live.

In the last year, al-Shabaab has been the target of an intense campaign of US airstrikes. An eyewitness said that the attackers had told Muslims to leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted. Comments Share your thoughts and debate the big issues. Join the discussion It's really quite a shocking thing because from what we're getting, they aren't ordinary thugs. Share this story Twitter Facebook. They were working as security consultants and they raced to the Westgate mall when al-Shabaab gunmen went on the rampage. I have seen a human as I ran out and there is what looks like minced meat all over," said Charles Njenga, who did not give further details. Al-Shabaab, the extremist group that has claimed responsibility for the attack, said its members remained fighting inside the building. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the "heartless acts against defenceless civilians" and pledged to "stand shoulder to shoulder with Kenya. The Malay Mail. People are evacuated from the scene of the attack in Nairobi Reuters One witness has given a distressing account of seeing casualties at the hotel complex as he fled from the scene. A man passes in front of burning cars that exploded at the entrance of dusitD2 hotel in Nairobi. As the day progressed, police said that they were conducting a final sweep of the complex as the interior ministry released a statement that said the four-day-long assault was "very near the end. Regardless of the specific motive for this attack, experts warn that no matter how many times authorities count out al-Shabaab, they somehow find a way to pull off an attack and keep the fighting going. Rob Van Dijk, an employee of the Dutch embassy, said that while he was eating at a restaurant the attack started with grenades and was followed by gunfire as patrons screamed and dropped to the ground.

Retrieved 27 September He later tweeted to say the gunshots had stopped and he could hear people being evacuated from and office below. Congressional Research Service. What I have seen is terrible. Twitter suspended the account before the attack had ended. US Department of Defense. The movement is riven by factional feuding and faces competition from Islamic State. Trinidad and Tobago.

The attack was a success and resulted in the death of Garar. We took cover. Last December, for example, a car bomb placed by an al-Shabaab militant killed at least 16 people in Mogadishu. However, attackers are often brought in from Somalia. Submit Submit. Eyewitnesses were reported to have seen 50 bodies in the mall. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. I think so.

Kenya portal. Subscribe to Independent Premium. Politics Best wishes and barbs: World leaders react to Trump testing positive for the coronavirus. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Congressional Research Service. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. An ex-SAS man and a former Irish soldier helped to save lives. Join the Vox Video Lab.

A man passes in front of burning cars that exploded at the entrance of dusitD2 hotel in Nairobi. Archived from the original on 26 September Karl Wiest, a spokesperson for US Africa Command, said America has launched 87 airstrikes on al-Shabaab militants, fighting positions, and equipment since The Kenyan Cabinet was expected to establish a formal commission of inquiry. In , the al-Qaida affiliate took over a luxury mall in Nairobi, killing 67 people. Kimaiyo said: "Our officers are on the ground carrying out an evacuation of those inside as they search for the attackers who are said to be inside. Agence France-Presse. Many media outlets also suspected the insurgent group's involvement in the attack based on earlier reprisal warnings it had issued in the wake of Operation Linda Nchi from to A group spokesman, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, said: "If you want Kenya in peace, it will not happen as long as your boys are in [Somalia].

Security forces are reflected in a window riddled with bullet holes at the DusitD2 hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenya, on January 15, Heads up: You might be asked to sign in to Google first. The Daily Telegraph. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The group often attacks restaurants and hotels, using tactics similar to those employed in Nairobi. South Africa. An Artcaffe employee, Patrick Kuria, said: "We started by hearing gunshots downstairs and outside.

Initially, the Ministry of Interior said: "It is a possibility that it is an attack by terrorists, so we are treating the matter very seriously. He later tweeted to say the gunshots had stopped and he could hear people being evacuated from and office below. A man passes in front of burning cars that exploded at the entrance of dusitD2 hotel in Nairobi. A report indicated that about 80 people were trapped in the basement, but police said that they had escorted some shoppers to safety and were trying to capture the gunmen. Approximately people were wounded in the mass shooting. Update preferences. Archived 28 September at Archive. Release No: NR Press release.

Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Views Read Edit View history. Daily Coronavirus Briefing. The National Intelligence Service NIS was strongly criticised for failing to warn of the attack after The Star reported that two unnamed NIS officers had told it that the NIS had passed warnings about an attack to the police, and that a pregnant woman had been warned by her brother, an NIS officer, not to visit the Westgate mall that Saturday "because she would not be able to run with her bulging tummy". They were working as security consultants and they raced to the Westgate mall when al-Shabaab gunmen went on the rampage. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Security forces cleared the hotel, restaurant and office complex in Nairobi on Wednesday morning after it was attacked the previous day by four gunmen from al-Shabaab, an Islamic extremist organisation based in neighbouring Somalia. Nairobi , Kenya. Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo wrote that there were "police at the scene and the area [was] surrounded.

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Retrieved 21 September The African Union Commission. Write to Maïa Booker at maia. Kenya has often been targeted by al-Shabaab, including an attacks where militants killed 67 people at Westgate Mall in Nairobi in and nearly students at a university in The incident followed threats from Al-Shabaab in late of attacks in Kenya in retaliation for Operation Linda Nchi , a coordinated military operation in southern Somalia that was launched against the group by the Somali Armed Forces and Kenya Defence Forces. Create a commenting name to join the debate Submit Submit. A man passes in front of burning cars that exploded at the entrance of dusitD2 hotel in Nairobi.

Retrieved 19 March Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. The Daily Telegraph. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 18 March Retrieved 26 January Four ambulances and a fire truck arrived at the scene as fleeing office workers told Reuters colleagues were still huddled under their desks. A car windscreen damaged by bullets at the hotel complex Reuters One woman working in a bank near the hotel says she heard two explosions and gunfire as people fled the scene. Associated Press.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Daily News. Who are the jihadi extremist group al-Shabaab and what are their goals? Update preferences. The Star. New York Police Department. The Daily Telegraph. Initially, the Ministry of Interior said: "It is a possibility that it is an attack by terrorists, so we are treating the matter very seriously.

On 4 November , four individuals reported to be Somali nationals were charged by a Kenyan court in relation to the attack. Features The German model for America. Gunshots can now be heard again outside the complex, sending some people running for cover behind cars and screaming. Al Jazeera. Kimaiyo said: "Our officers are on the ground carrying out an evacuation of those inside as they search for the attackers who are said to be inside. Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab claimed that it carried out the attack, the AP reported. Terror at the Mall. Retrieved 18 March Retrieved 18 October Retrieved 24 September

Archived 28 September at Archive. He indicated that there were three bodies there while he pointed to a pool of blood by a children's shoe shop. Photographs circulated on social media showed three cars ablaze by the entrance to the hotel grounds and what appeared to be a human leg lying on the floor. Retrieved 23 August Other witnesses said the attack began at the outdoor seating area of Artcaffe at the front of the mall. It's really quite a shocking thing because from what we're getting, they aren't ordinary thugs. An Artcaffe employee, Patrick Kuria, said: "We started by hearing gunshots downstairs and outside. Kenyan Red Cross workers provide first aid to injured victims during an ongoing attack in Nairobi on Jan.

The number of casualties is not the primary objective. The Kenyan Cabinet was expected to establish a formal commission of inquiry. A survivor of the attack on a hotel complex in Nairobi has said he saw the bodies of at least two people at the scene. Bloomberg correspondent Marco Lui was on the second floor of the mall when the attack started; he said that two explosions happened within about five minutes of each other. An Artcaffe employee, Patrick Kuria, said: "We started by hearing gunshots downstairs and outside. Archived 28 September at Archive. Al-Shabaab, which has said its mujahideen were responsible for the assault, has launched a series of terrorist operations in Kenya in recent years. Features The German model for America. Retrieved 4 November Archived from the original on 28 September

The movement is riven by factional feuding and faces competition from Islamic State. His security forces tell him that this terror organisation was not targeting Israelis. We have as good a chance to successfully neutralise the terrorists as we can hope for". Associated Press. Share this story Twitter Facebook. Robert Murire told AP he saw attackers wearing green and wrapped in ammunition belts. Al-Shabaab, the extremist group that has claimed responsibility for the attack, said its members remained fighting inside the building. Wikimedia Commons. Already have an account?