Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 16 Jan 2019, 02:00 pm Print
Nairobi: Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday confirmed that the siege by suspected terrorists at a hotel compound in Nairobi city is over.
He confirmed that all the attackers have been killed.
A total of 14 people were killed, President Kenyatta told Kenyans in a media briefing from State House, Nairobi, reported Daily Nation.
The President did not specify the number of gunmen who attacked the compound.
“We will seek out every person involved in the funding, planning and execution of this heinous act,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper. “We will pursue them wherever they will be, until they are held to account."
Gunfire and blasts rocked the compound in Westlands district of Kenya's capital city Nairobi where DusitD2 hotel and several offices are located.
Some media reports claimed that the deceased include a US citizen.
#Nairobi #Kenya: There are reports of an explosion and an active shooter situation at the Dusit Hotel complex in the Westland district of Nairobi. Avoid the area, monitor local news, and follow emergency instructions.
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) January 15, 2019
The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
"BREAKING: #Shabaab claims responsibility for horrific attack at DusitD2 hotel in #Nairobi #Kenya, wherefrom explosions and gunfire were heard today and “body parts and blood on the ground," SITE intelligence group posted on its website.
United States Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec condemned the attack and tweeted: "The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terrible attack at the Dusit2 Hotel complex in Nairobi. We offer our deepest condolences to all who have been affected by this horrifying violence."
The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terrible attack at the Dusit2 Hotel complex in Nairobi. We offer our deepest condolences to all who have been affected by this horrifying violence. 1/2
— Ambassador Bob Godec (@BobGodec) January 15, 2019
The attack started at 3 pm on Tuesday, reports said.
DusitD2 hotel is a five-star hotel. It has 101 rooms.
Kenya has witnessed several terrorist attacks in recent times.
Who are al -Shabaab?
Al-Shabaab is a jihadist fundamentalist group based in East Africa.
In 2012, it pledged allegiance to the militant Islamist organization Al-Qaeda. They are opposed to the Somali government. However, they have carried out attacks throughout East Africa.
Major Attacks:
In 2013, al-Shabab gunmen attacked the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi and targeted shoppers and at the end of the 80-hour-long siege 67 people lost their lives.
In 2015, gunmen stormed the Garissa University College in Garissa, Kenya, killing 148 people. The militant group and Al-Qaeda offshoot, Al-Shabaab, which the gunmen claimed to be from, took responsibility for the attack.Im
Image: Rita Katz Twitter page
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