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Kenyan Govt: Army in Control of Besieged Mall, All Hostages Free
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
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Kenyan officials say the army has taken complete control of the besieged Nairobi shopping mall from Islamist terrorists, and that all hostages have been freed.
Soldiers are still combing the huge Westgate shopping center floor-by-floor.
Al-Shabab extremists from Somalia claimed responsibility for taking over the mall during a busy shopping day Saturday. Gunmen walked from store-to-store, shooting down shoppers. They also opened fire on a group of children in a cooking class and murdered people in the parking lot. At least 62 people were killed along with two gunmen. The Red Cross puts the death toll at 69.
Al-Shabab says the attack was in retaliation for Kenya's military intervention in Somalia. It demands all Kenyan forces leave Somalia -- a demand the Kenyan government rejects.
U.S. President Barack Obama said he has spoken directly with Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, and will provide whatever law enforcement assistance Kenya needs.
Obama said he is confident Kenya will rebuild. He called it one of Africa's most stable democracies.
Among those killed Saturday were nationals from Britain, Canada, China, France, India and South Korea.
Kenyatta vows to stand firm against terrorism and punish those behind the attack "swiftly" and "very painfully." The president said his nephew and the young man's fiancee were among those killed.
Kenyan forces entered neighboring Somalia two years ago to help rout al-Shabab, which has been fighting to turn Somalia into a conservative Islamic state. Al-Shabab militants often crossed the border to stage attacks in Kenya.
The FBI is investigating reports that some Americans who joined al-Shabab were involved in the mall attack.
Kenya's president says his military has 'ashamed and defeated' Islamist militants inside mall
- AP
Americans, Briton among Westgate attackers, Government says
- Daily Nation
Kenya Westgate atrocity is al-Shabaab's way of escalating Somali conflict
- The Guardian
Uganda beefs up security in Kampala malls
- The Star
Kenya Raid Is First Regional Strike by New Somali Rebel Head
- Bloomberg
Kenya official: Several Americans among attackers
- AP
Somalis in U.S. condemn Kenyan mall attack
- USA TODAY
Gunmen still inside besieged Kenyan mall, sources say
- CNN
Kenya troops ‘in control’ of mall after three-day bloodbath
- AFP
Somalia calls for regional collaboration to deal with terrorism
- Xinhua
Somalia 'stands resolute with Kenyan friends'
- ITV News
Somalia: Ethiopia Could Face 'Large-Scale' Attacks From Somalia's Al-Shabaab - Opposition
- Sudan Tribune
Somalia: Terrorists Rob Somalia of Healthcare
- IPS
Nairobi Attack Tied to Kenyan Involvement in Somalia, says a Former US Diplomat
- VOA
Somalia's Al-Shabab: 4 Things To Know
- NPR
Gunmen who stormed Kenya mall reportedly spoke English, were from different countries
- Washington Post
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