Gun battle at Kenya shopping centre

[Jimbuna]

A terrible situation....the tv and press in the UK are all over it and reports are inaccurate and many but it would appear it could well be a terrorist attack and at least 36 people have been taken hostage.


A gun battle inside a shopping centre in the Kenyan capital Nairobi has left at least 20 people dead, the Kenyan Red Cross says.
The gunmen attacked the Westgate centre - one of the city's most exclusive. Dozens of shoppers fled; many are still feared trapped inside.
A senior police officer originally said it was an attempted robbery but later called it a possible terrorist attack.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24186780

[Schroeder]

In German news they said that the attackers allowed all Muslims to leave unharmed...if that is true than it's definitely a terror strike.:nope:

[eddie]

I feel so sorry for those who were in that mall!

[Jimbuna]

An update 25 minutes old but there is still a lot of speculation and uncertainty:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24186780

[Tribesman]

An update 25 minutes old but there is still a lot of speculation and uncertainty:


Trócaire reported that all their staff are safe, and that it appears to be overspill from Somalia

[eddie]

"A statement from al-Shabab on its official Twitter feed Saturday says the attacks are retribution for military action by Kenya inside Somalia. The group said it was now shifting the battlefield to Kenya"

http://news.msn.com/world/22-dead-in-kenya-mall-attack-on-non-muslims

It was sad to read this-

"Earlier in the day mall guards used shopping carts to wheel out wounded children, as others emerged crying or clutching their kids."

[Jimbuna]

"A statement from al-Shabab on its official Twitter feed Saturday says the attacks are retribution for military action by Kenya inside Somalia. The group said it was now shifting the battlefield to Kenya"

http://news.msn.com/world/22-dead-in-kenya-mall-attack-on-non-muslims

It was sad to read this-

"Earlier in the day mall guards used shopping carts to wheel out wounded children, as others emerged crying or clutching their kids."

The film footage was indeed sad :yep:

[eddie]

Has turned into a standoff, they still have hostages.
http://www.msn.com/?pc=U142&ocid=U142DHP

[Jimbuna]

I read one article stating the gunmen were holed up in a supermarket, so with plentiful stocks of food it could be a long standoff.

I hope the authorities don't go rushing in wildly but on the other hand it is quite possible friendly governments will offer specialist military personnel to assist.

[eddie]

And when its get's to the point that the terrorists feel they are not going to get what they want, then the rest of the hostages will be dead. Seem's like a copycat attack like they did in Mumbai.

[Jimbuna]

Could be but as long as they cease to breathe that is the least we can hope for.

[Oberon]

Get the feeling this is going to have a Russian outcome, but hoping for the best.

[eddie]

I try to put myself into the mind set of what it might be like to be one of the hostages at this point, but would never be able to reach the level of fear they must feel right now.

I feel so sorry for them.

[Jimbuna]

There but for the grace of God...

[eddie]

Well, its over! Sounds like most hostages have been released! Sure would like to hear that all of the militants are dead!

http://news.msn.com/world/officials-most-kenya-hostages-are-freed

[Skybird]

I read a german report earlier today that it were Israeli commandos going into the building.

True, not true, I don't know. They would not want to raise high profile over it. Was not mentioned again, AFAIK.

[eddie]

Reports here mention Israeli advisors, but no direct involvement by Israeli troops of any kind.

[Jimbuna]

BBC reckon it's still going on...updated an hour ago:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24199351

[Oberon]

Looks like the endgame is starting to be played out.

American forces/advisers are on the scene as well as Israelis apparently.

[Jimbuna]

Rgr that:

Nairobi Westgate attack: 'Assault begins' to break siege.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24206913

[Nippelspanner]

In German news they said that the attackers allowed all Muslims to leave unharmed...if that is true than it's definitely a terror strike.:nope:
If they would have shot all the Muslims too, would it not have been a terror strike then?
It is an act of terror non the less.
Some sick peoples Ideology strikes again. Let's hope for the best... even if that sounds a little stupid after what, ~70 killed all ready? :-?

[Armistead]

Terrible, if you couldn't prove you were Muslim you were shot. Worse, possible American and Canadians part of the terror group.

Any reports on number dead?

[Nippelspanner]

Terrible, if you couldn't prove you were Muslim you were shot. Worse, possible American and Canadians part of the terror group.

Any reports on number dead?
See post above yours. Around 70 so far. And there will be more, no doubt. :down:

[Jimbuna]

The official death toll stands at 62 and more than 170 have been injured.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24206913

[Schroeder]

If they would have shot all the Muslims too, would it not have been a terror strike then?

It could have meant that these guys were just gangsters out to take hostages and take ransom. There was not much info when I wrote that so it was unclear yet whether it was a terror strike or just an "normal" criminal event to make money.

[eddie]

Doesn't seem like its ever going to end.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/23/20654343-bodies-everywhere-survivor-stories-emerge-as-kenya-mall-siege-goes-on?lite

[Oberon]

Slow, steady, methodical. Make them work to your timetable, not you rush to theirs. Close the net slowly and thoroughly, making sure no gaps are made.

It's a tricky environment to work in, a shopping mall, lots of angles, lots of exits and entry points. It'll take a while to sweep it properly. There could still be civilians inside too, which makes it tricky, as well as the possibility of combatants hiding as civilians.

[eddie]

You are right Oberon, it will take time. I've seen reports where some of the militants are dressed as women! Also read that when the attack started, a French woman and her daughter were gunned down in a parking lot.:nope:

[Jimbuna]

Slow, steady, methodical. Make them work to your timetable, not you rush to theirs. Close the net slowly and thoroughly, making sure no gaps are made.

It's a tricky environment to work in, a shopping mall, lots of angles, lots of exits and entry points. It'll take a while to sweep it properly. There could still be civilians inside too, which makes it tricky, as well as the possibility of combatants hiding as civilians.

One things for sure, there will be one huge enquiry at the end of this mess.

[TarJak]

Kenyan Foreign Minister states that there were British and American citizens taking part in the terrorist attack. The operation continues: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-24/british-and-us-militants-among-kenya-shopping-mall-attackers/4978394

[Jimbuna]

Now it is over...


Kenya president declares siege over

The four-day siege involving suspected Islamist militants at Nairobi's Westgate shopping centre is over, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta says.
Five attackers were shot dead by troops and 11 suspects were in custody, he said in a TV address to the nation.
Kenya has "shamed and defeated our attackers" but the "losses are immense", he said, confirming that 61 civilians and six soldiers had died.
Three days of national mourning have been declared, starting on Wednesday.
President Kenyatta said that several bodies lying under rubble from collapsed parts of the building had still to be recovered.

Some 175 people were injured in the attack; 62 people remain in hospital and many others are being treated for shock and are undergoing counselling.

[Fubar2Niner]

^
Thank god, my heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims. With so many al Qaeda splinter groups, it seems this madness will never end. :(

[Jimbuna]

Most likely not but it will be interesting to see what fate lies ahead for the eleven suspects that were reportedly captured.

[Fubar2Niner]

My guess is the general public won't have to feed and house them for umpteen years like we do mate. :nope:

[Tribesman]

My guess is the general public won't have to feed and house them for umpteen years like we do mate. :nope:
The last action Kenya had on death row was giving a couple of hundred convicts life terms after they had been sitting on death row for twenty years.

[Fubar2Niner]

The last action Kenya had on death row was giving a couple of hundred convicts life terms after they had been sitting on death row for twenty years.

Ok..... I stand corrected, then maybe they should hit them with a brick? Better still chainsaw their heads off, even better let some whacked out of his brain Columbian drug king fix it. I'm open to suggestions. On a side note I wonder how much it costs to keep a criminal in jail, in Kenya, compared to the UK ??????????

[Tribesman]

Well if you want a price comparison perhaps look at the Somali pirates Nato vessels hand over to Kenya for trial.

[Aktungbby]

Reports here mention Israeli advisors, but no direct involvement by Israeli troops of any kind.
That would be likely as the mall is reportedly owned by Jews and has been long considered a likely target as such.

[Aktungbby]

Terrible, if you couldn't prove you were Muslim you were shot. Worse, possible American and Canadians part of the terror group.

Any reports on number dead?
Eritreans formerly living in the MPLS MN area?

[BrucePartington]

As if the whole incident wasn't terrible enough on its own, this is disturbing....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2429784/Kenya-mall-attack-Has-Samantha-Lewthwaite-British-White-Widow-killed-Nairobi-siege.html

[Jimbuna]

That has yet to be confirmed but if it is her she'll not be missed by many in the UK.