AAN World News: Al Shabaab Siege Kenyan Military Airfield, 17 Kenyans Killed

[J. Hill]

AAN World News: Al Shabaab siege Kenyan military airfield, 17 Kenyans killed

 

In the early hours of last night, Al Shabaab announced their claim to an attack on a Kenyan Military airfield within Garissa county. The attack lasted for several hours before Kenyan Military forces were ordered to withdraw, at least 17 members of the Kenyan Defence Force were killed in the attack. Al Shabaab called the victory a step to "prevent Kenya intervention in our mission in freeing Somalia". The terror group's main goal within the horn of Africa is to oust the Somali government in favor of erecting an Islamic emirate within the region. The Al Qaeda-aligned group have been responsible for attacks since its founding in 2006.

Kenyan authorities have pledged to resolve the sudden move by the terror group as soon as possible, however with civil unrest due to tax hikes and accused police brutality the state of their response is questionable. British and American troops in the region have not announced any major move to assist the Kenyans outside of training and counter insurgency operations, as outlined in their separate deployments to the region.

Locals in Garissa county have fled from the areas near the air strip in fear of exploitation or attacks by Al Shabaab. Garissa remains under a slowly tightening grip held by the terror group. As civil unrest deepens the expected response has not been seen yet. However the Kenyans have pledged a response.