This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/al-shabab-attacks-joint-us-kenyan-base-but-assault-repulsed-with-four-militants-killed/2020/01/05/6208f5a2-2f82-11ea-9b60-817cc18cf173_story.html

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Al-Shabab attacks airstrip used by U.S. and Kenyan militaries, killing three Americans Al-Shabab attacks airstrip in Kenya, killing three Americans
(about 1 hour later)
NAIROBI — Al-Shabab militants launched a predawn attack Sunday on an airstrip used by U.S. and Kenyan militaries, located on Kenya's coast near the border with Somalia, killing one U.S. service member and two American private contractors, according to a U.S. military statement. NAIROBI — Al-Shabab militants launched a predawn attack Sunday on an airstrip used by U.S. and Kenyan militaries, on Kenya's coast near the border with Somalia, killing one U.S. service member and two American private contractors, according to a U.S. military statement.
Two other American contractors were wounded and were being evacuated in stable condition, the statement said.Two other American contractors were wounded and were being evacuated in stable condition, the statement said.
The attack marked a rare successful incursion by al-Shabab into a foreign military compound, let alone one outside its usual operating grounds in Somalia and one used by U.S. Special Forces and other defense personnel.The attack marked a rare successful incursion by al-Shabab into a foreign military compound, let alone one outside its usual operating grounds in Somalia and one used by U.S. Special Forces and other defense personnel.
Residents and tourists in the Lamu region reported seeing a plume of smoke and hearing gunfire at 3:30 a.m. that continued until midmorning. It was unclear exactly how the attack unfolded, but pictures of the aftermath indicated al-Shabab was able to detonate explosives where U.S. military equipment such as helicopters and other aircraft would have been stationed. Residents and tourists in the Lamu region reported seeing a plume of smoke and hearing gunfire at 3:30 a.m. that continued until midmorning. It was unclear exactly how the attack unfolded, but pictures of the aftermath indicated that al-Shabab was able to detonate explosives where U.S. military equipment such as helicopters and other aircraft would have been stationed.
The U.S. military statement said reports indicated damage to six "contractor-operated civilian aircraft."The U.S. military statement said reports indicated damage to six "contractor-operated civilian aircraft."
U.S. forces train Kenyan soldiers at a base attached to the airstrip, known as Camp Simba, and use the airstrip for aerial missions against al-Shabab in Somalia. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) had said in an earlier statement that the attack had been repelled, with the cooperation of Kenyan forces. It was unclear whether there were any Kenyan casualties. U.S. forces train Kenyan soldiers at a base attached to the airstrip known as Camp Simba, and they use the airstrip for aerial missions against al-Shabab in Somalia. The U.S. Africa Command had said in an earlier statement that the attack had been repelled, with the cooperation of Kenyan forces. It was unclear whether there were any Kenyan casualties.
Kenyan Defence Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Njuguna said the bodies of five attackers were found.Kenyan Defence Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Njuguna said the bodies of five attackers were found.
For its part, al-Shabab said it had inflicted “severe casualties” on both American and Kenyan forces and confirmed it had destroyed U.S. aircraft and vehicles. For its part, al-Shabab said it had inflicted “severe casualties” on both American and Kenyan forces and confirmed that it had destroyed U.S. aircraft and other vehicles.
In the U.S. statement, Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of AFRICOM, said that the United States would, along with its African and international partners, pursue the perpetrators of the attack. In the U.S. statement, Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of AFRICOM, said that the United States would, along with its African and international partners, pursue the perpetrators of the attack. He also said they remain committed to preventing al-Shabab from maintaining a haven to plan deadly attacks.
“We remain committed to preventing al-Shabaab from maintaining a safe haven to plan deadly attacks,” he said.
Massive explosion in Somalia’s capital kills at least 79Massive explosion in Somalia’s capital kills at least 79
Al-Shabab, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, has mounted a string of attacks in Kenya recently, including multiple ambushes on passenger buses traveling in the region close to the Somali border. Last Saturday, the group bombed a busy intersection in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing at least 80 people. Almost a year ago, al-Shabab staged its most daring attack on Kenyan soil in half a decade when multiple gunmen stormed a luxury hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, holding it in a 20-hour siege in which at least 21 civilians were killed. Al-Shabab, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, has mounted a string of attacks in Kenya recently, including multiple ambushes on passenger buses traveling in the region close to the Somali border. Last Saturday, the group bombed a busy intersection in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing at least 80 people. Almost a year ago, al-Shabab staged its most daring attack on Kenyan soil in half a decade when multiple gunmen stormed a luxury hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, causing a 20-hour siege in which at least 21 civilians were killed.
Al-Shabab controls most of rural southern and central Somalia and regularly attacks Mogadishu. The group seeks to impose a strict version of Islamist law and to expel foreign troops from the country. In addition to about 500 U.S. personnel in Somalia, the African Union sponsors a coalition of about 20,000 troops, mostly from Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda.Al-Shabab controls most of rural southern and central Somalia and regularly attacks Mogadishu. The group seeks to impose a strict version of Islamist law and to expel foreign troops from the country. In addition to about 500 U.S. personnel in Somalia, the African Union sponsors a coalition of about 20,000 troops, mostly from Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda.
The group gets most of its funding from an extensive protection racket that functions like a parallel taxation system throughout the country. It is paid tens of millions of dollars a year by farmers, business owners and others who are threatened with death if they don’t pay up. The group gets most of its funding from an extensive protection racket that functions like a parallel taxation system throughout the country. It is paid tens of millions of dollars a year by farmers, business owners and others who are threatened with death if they don’t pay.
The U.S. military has led a largely aerial campaign against al-Shabab for the better part of the past decade. In 2017, President Trump loosened the U.S. military’s rules of engagement in Somalia, allowing for greater offensive use of force. Since then, the U.S. military has ramped up drone strikes and carried out a record 63 strikes in 2019, in which it claims to have killed hundreds of al-Shabab fighters. The U.S. military has led a largely aerial campaign against al-Shabab for much of the past decade. In 2017, President Trump loosened the U.S. military’s rules of engagement in Somalia, allowing for greater offensive use of force. Since then, the U.S. military has increased drone strikes and carried out a record 63 strikes in 2019, in which it claims to have killed hundreds of al-Shabab fighters.
Rael Ombuor in Nairobi contributed to this report.Rael Ombuor in Nairobi contributed to this report.
In Kenya’s battle against al-Shabab, locals say the military is fighting terror with terrorIn Kenya’s battle against al-Shabab, locals say the military is fighting terror with terror
‘If I don’t pay, they kill me’: al-Shabab tightens grip on Somalia with growing tax racket‘If I don’t pay, they kill me’: al-Shabab tightens grip on Somalia with growing tax racket
In Somalia, can al-Shabab be defeated? Here’s why a nonmilitary option might succeed.In Somalia, can al-Shabab be defeated? Here’s why a nonmilitary option might succeed.
Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the worldToday’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign newsLike Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news