Kenya (catch all)

[AdamG]

(CNN)CNN journalists near the hotel complex in Nairobi that was attacked Tuesday are still hearing intermittent gunfire from the location, hours after the government gave the all-clear.

At least 11 people have been killed during what police described as a "suspected terror attack" at the complex in the Kenyan capital, said a source at the hotel assisting with security.
The source called the death toll "conservative" and expected it to rise: "I saw six dead on the footpath exit over the river and five more at the secret garden cafe."
A US State Department official said an American was killed in the attack, and provided no other details. CNN is reaching out to officials from other nations to see whether any of their citizens are among the victims.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/15/afric...ntl/index.html

[AdamG]

The AK-47 appears to be brand new.

A CCTV footage has now emerged showing how four heavily armed attackers stormed the 14 Riverside Drive Dusit2 hotel. The footage shows three of the gunmen dressed in black tops with green vests and Ak47 rifles. In the footage, the suspected terrorists are seen signalling one another to take different positions as they fired indiscriminately to anyone on sight.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2019...hotel_c1878512

[AdamG]

DAMN SKIPPY!

Mystery Pirate Patch-Wearing Special Operator Jumped In To Help Kenyans During Hotel Attack
Images of the individual show them with weapons, gear, and other items associated with American or British special operations forces.
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone...WVRa77NNUBV9tc

[davidbfpo]

The SF operator appears in the BBC footage too:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-...scue-operation

[davidbfpo]

Citing an anonymous insider The Sun (UK) reports and later BBC News:

The “long serving” member of the SAS – motto Who Dares Wins – was on a mission to train and mentor Kenyan Special Forces when four terrorists attacked a hotel complex....a lone SAS soldier got tooled up and went in after a request for help from Kenyan security forces....He was pictured operating at the hotel alone. But he was joined in the mission by US Navy Seals

Link:https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8207170/nairobi-hotel-attack-kenya-sas-terrorists/

[davidbfpo]

A topical commentary on Al-Shabaab in Somalia, two good maps of activity in 2017 and 2018. This comment explains why they retain popular support:

Al Shabaab’s attacks make headlines, but the al Qaeda group offers something real to local Somalis. Perhaps incredibly, the group provides more efficient and less corrupt governance than the Somali Federal Government in some areas. Many Somalis prefer al Shabaab’s justice over the Somali courts—even traveling from government-controlled areas to al Shabaab-held areas to seek justice. Al Shabaab courts deliver a verdict faster and are more likely to enforce it. This benefit allows al Shabaab to maintain support and attack zones, despite U.S. airstrikes.

Link:https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/fight-against-al-shabaab-isnt-over?

This post will be cross-posted on the main Somalia thread:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...)-2018-onwards

Kenya has its own thread, where thsi thread will e merged one day:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ya-(catch-all)

[AdamG]

Citizens carrying arms - whatta concept.

Kenya plans to allow many more private security guards around the country to carry firearms following a deadly attack by Islamic extremists in Nairobi. The Kenyan government agency monitoring private security says the goal is to enhance the guards' ability to protect the public because they are often the first responders before state security forces can get to the scene.

The Private Security Regulatory Authority made the announcement on Friday, three days after attackers laid siege to the dusitD2 hotel, shopping and office complex.

A security company confirmed that two employees were killed in the attack. Authorities plan a vetting process to expose any suspected criminals within security companies before guards are licensed to have guns. Currently, very few private guards in Kenya are allowed to carry guns.

https://abcnews.go.com/International...ttack-60488079