Reports comfirmed by the Kenyan president (Uhuru Kenyatta) say that so far 39 people have died and more than 150 injured in an upscale mall attack by armed terrorists.
Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta who added his close relatives are among the killed said that the security forces are going to do any thing possible regards responding to the attack. He also called it a delicate operation by saying that their top priority was to safeguard the lives of those still being held hostage. Two gunmen, Who were detained are also reported deed after being shot.
Abbas Gullet, one of the Kenya Red Cross officials said that there are fears the death toll could rise further.
Al-Qaida-linked Somali militant group Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack. They said that the attack was a punishment for Kenyan forces' 2011 push into Somalia. They threatened more attacks.
Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta who added his close relatives are among the killed said that the security forces are going to do any thing possible regards responding to the attack. He also called it a delicate operation by saying that their top priority was to safeguard the lives of those still being held hostage. Two gunmen, Who were detained are also reported deed after being shot.
Abbas Gullet, one of the Kenya Red Cross officials said that there are fears the death toll could rise further.
Al-Qaida-linked Somali militant group Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack. They said that the attack was a punishment for Kenyan forces' 2011 push into Somalia. They threatened more attacks.
Elijah Kamau, who was at the mall at the time of the midday attack said that gunmen asked the victims if they were Muslims: several witnesses said that if your answer was yes, you were free to go. The non Muslims remained hostages.
According to the reports, at least five gunmen including a woman first attacked a cafe at the shiny, new shopping center that hosts Nike, Adidas and Bose stores "Westgate Mall". The mall's ownership is Israeli, and security experts have long said the structure made an attractive terrorist target.
According to the reports, at least five gunmen including a woman first attacked a cafe at the shiny, new shopping center that hosts Nike, Adidas and Bose stores "Westgate Mall". The mall's ownership is Israeli, and security experts have long said the structure made an attractive terrorist target.
The Mujahideen (Al-Shabab) said late Saturday via Twitter that "All praise is due to Allah!" however, they are still holding their grounds inside Westgate Mall.
The national government's cabinet secretary for interior and coordination (Joseph Ole Lenku), said that security their forces have taken control of the situation and the worst should be over.
The national police earlier tweeted that the attackers "have been isolated and pinned down in a room by security forces. They added on that via Twitter that the attackers of Westgate shopping mall have been isolated and pinned down in a room by security forces in the ongoing operation.
The national government's cabinet secretary for interior and coordination (Joseph Ole Lenku), said that security their forces have taken control of the situation and the worst should be over.
The national police earlier tweeted that the attackers "have been isolated and pinned down in a room by security forces. They added on that via Twitter that the attackers of Westgate shopping mall have been isolated and pinned down in a room by security forces in the ongoing operation.
However, Kenya's president (Uhuru Kenyatta) blasted "the despicable perpetrators of this cowardly act (who) hoped to intimidate, divide and cause despondency among Kenyans and would like to (create) a closed, fearful and fractured society."
In 1998, over 213 were reported dead in the U.S. Embassy bombing attack in Nairobi, and other attacks before since tied to al-Qaeda and related groups. This indicates that Kenya is no stranger to terrorism
Kenyatta promised Kenyans on a televised speech late Saturday, that his nation has "overcome" such attacks before, refusing to budge from its values or relinquish his security. And it will do so again.
"We shall hunt down the perpetrators wherever they run to," the president said, adding;
"We shall get them, and we shall punish them for this heinous crime.
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