Three Americans were killed in an attack on a Kenyan US military base by extremists of the al-Qaeda-linked Somali terrorist group, Al-Shabaab.
According to the US Africa Command, one US serviceman and two contractors with the US Department of Defense were killed when extremists overrun the key military base. Five attackers were also killed.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, stating:
“The mujahideen fighters covertly entered enemy lines, successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and have now taken effective control of a part of the base”.
The commander of US Africa Command said:
“Alongside our African and international partners, we will pursue those responsible for this attack and Al-Shabaab who seeks to harm Americans and US interests”.
“We remain committed to preventing Al-Shabaab from maintaining a safe haven to plan deadly attacks against the US homeland, East African and international partners”, he added.
“Launching a deliberate assault of this type against a well-defended permanent base occupied by (Kenya Defence Forces), contractors and US military personnel required a great deal of planning, rehearsals, logistics and operational capability”, an analyst explained.
Kenya has been a target of attacks by al-Shabaab for more than a decade, since its troops have participated in a UN-backed mission to fight terrorism in neighboring Somalia. Al Shabab, that is active in Somalia, is attempting to overthrow the government in Somalia.
Last week, an al-Shabaab truck bomb in Somalia’s capital killed at least 80 people, followed by US airstrikes killing seven al-Shabaab fighters.
Three Americans killed in terror attack on US military base in Kenya
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