Kenya (catch all)

[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

[davidbfpo]

IMHO a good review of why, although from a faraway armchair/ It ends:

Yet again, Kenya has suffered a big loss and as its people come to terms with this week's events they will wonder why it has to take catastrophe for more lessons to be learned.

Link:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-46921249

[davidbfpo]

A rare descriptive article on African urbanization and in The Daily Telegraph too. The dilemma is acute now, let alone in the future:

Slum life is therefore overcrowded, wretched, dangerous and — because of high levels of unemployment — often violent. With many African cities now consisting of increasingly prosperous pockets surrounded by vast swathes of resentful indigence, political insecurity is also a risk.

Link:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/nairobi-slum-reveals-vast-challenges-facing-africas-megacities/?