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.

[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

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...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]

Originally Posted by 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...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

[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-...ages-are-freed