Kenya (catch all)

[AdamG]

This was a temporary separate thread until merged on 29/1/2019 into the main thread (it had eights posts with 300 views). Might it turn into another Westgate Mall Charlie Foxtrot.

Suspected militants have attacked a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi, killing a number of people.

Gunfire and blasts were heard at the compound in the Westlands district of the Kenyan capital, which houses the DusitD2 hotel as well as offices.

The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab said it was behind the attack.

People, some covered in blood, were led out of the complex by police. Late on Tuesday the government said all buildings had been secured.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46880375

[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)