Another mass shooting: Shopping mall attack in Kenya kills 25

[enhanced_deficit]

Update:
Kenya mall attack enters day 3 with gunfire, explosions as al-Shabab threatens ... (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57604115/kenya-mall-attack-enters-day-3-with-gunfire-explosions-as-al-shabab-threatens-to-kill-hostages/)
NAIROBI, Kenya Sporadic gunfire and explosions were heard Monday from the shopping mall in Kenya's capital where Somali terrorists remained holed-up with an unknown number of hostages.

Kenya Westgate mall hostage standoff continues; death toll hits 68 (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57604047/kenya-westgate-mall-hostage-standoff-continues-59-dead-so-far-minister-says/)
NAIROBI, KenyaA large explosion rocked the Kenyan mall where Islamic extremists are holding hostages a day after attacking the upscale shopping center.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3oF3t4QNc4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3oF3t4QNc4


Related past news:

Kenya Invades Somalia. Does It Get Any Dumber?

By Alex Perry Oct. 19, 2011

Kenyan military board a truck headed to the Somali border, October 18, 2011. (Photo: AP)

If the history of war teaches us anything, it’s that invading a foreign country is dicey. Storming across too many borders was the undoing of many of the world’s great conquerors, from Alexander the Great to Napoleon to the Nazis. The last few decades of US foreign policy – Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq – only underline how tricky invasions are, even for the most powerful. The last 20 years have also seen Somalia emerge with a particularly consistent record of chewing up anyone who arrives carrying a gun, including the U.N. and U.S. special operations troops (1992-3), Ethiopians (2006-9) and Ugandans and Burundians from an African Union peacekeeping force (2008-today).
So what does Kenya think it’s doing? On Sunday, a force estimated variously at a few hundred to 2,000 Kenyan soldiers crossed the border into Somalia into pursuit of militants from the Somali Islamist group, al-Shabab.

History may be littered with warnings about just this kind of action but still, rarely has disaster been so plainly foretold. As an al-Shabab spokesman, Ali Mohamud Rage, told the BBC, while vowing retaliatory attacks on Nairobi: “Kenya doesn’t know war. We know war. We have fought against governments older and stronger than Kenya and we have defeated them.”

http://world.time.com/2011/10/19/kenya-invades-somalia-does-it-get-any-dumber (http://world.time.com/2011/10/19/kenya-invades-somalia-does-it-get-any-dumber/#ixzz2fl7nGuI8)



Kenya invades Somalia

A big gamble

The Kenyan invasion of Somalia is a perhaps unavoidable risk

Oct 29th 2011 | NAIROBI

SINCE Kenya became independent in 1963, its foreign policy has been determinedly non-interventionist. Its armed forces have seen little action at home and even less abroad. That changed this week when several thousand Kenyan troops invaded neighbouring Somalia.
http://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/290-width/images/print-edition/20111029_MAM955.gif
The Americans claim that the offensive took them by surprise. That is hard to believe, especially since several of the missiles fired at jihadist fighters hidden in the mangrove swamps on the Somali side of the border seem to have been fired from American drones or submarines. France is also reported to have bombarded settlements near the Somali port of Kismayo, a base for the al-Qaeda-linked Shabab militia. The French were outraged by the recent kidnapping in Kenya of a disabled French woman and her subsequent death in Somalia, presumably at the Shabab's hands, as well as by the capture of one its spies in Somalia two years ago.

Kenya is frank about its military aim. It says it wants to push on from its positions in the Somali towns of Afmadow and Ras Kamboni to attack Kismayo from the west and south. It hopes to “inflict trauma and damage” on the Shabab.

And then what? The answer is fuzzier.

http://www.economist.com/node/21534828


--

Appear to be Al Qaeda or terrorist militants behind it. It is apparently Israeli owned mall.

Nairobi mall attack, Sep. 21, 2013
President Obama notified about mall attack in Kenya - @NBCNews (http://www.breakingnews.com/item/ahZzfmJyZWFraW5nbmV3cy13d3ctaHJkcg0LEgRTZWVkGLih-hMM/2013/09/21/president-obama-notified-about-mall-attack-in-keny)
44 mins ago by editor

Kenya mall attack leaves at least 25 dead




http://www.trbimg.com/img-523dce8e/turbine/sns-photos-nairobi-mall-shooting-20130921-017/582



Tribune wire reports 12:07 p.m. CDT, September 21, 2013

NAIROBI—
Militant gunmen stormed a shopping mall in Nairobi today killing at least 25 people, including children, and sending scores fleeing in panic from shops and restaurants onto the streets, according to witnesses and the Red Cross.
Shooting continued hours after the initial assault as troops surrounded the Westgate mall and police and soldiers combed the building, hunting down the attackers shop by shop. A police officer inside the building said the gunmen were barricaded inside the Nakumatt supermarket, one of Kenya's biggest chains.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-kenya-mall-attack-20130921,0,4570194.story



There is no indication at this point that attackers were linked to suspected Jiahdist militant groups that were funded by Obama and were reportedly attacking Christians in Syria:





Al-Qaeda-linked Syrian rebel snipers haunt Christian town of Maaloula (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/url?q=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/19/al-qaeda-linked-rebel-snipers-haunt-christian-town/&sa=U&ei=89Y9UoaKI6H7yAGmmIDIAw&ved=0CCIQqQIoADAA&usg=AFQjCNHIf-Sd1ixEPVJqfLGukUU8CUaQqg)
Washington Times‎ - 2 days ago
Al-Qaeda-linked Syrian rebels continue to haunt the predominantly Christian town of Maaloula as regime fighters struggle to regain power ...






Christian village Maaloula falls into jihadists' hands as Al-Qaeda ... (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/url?q=http://townhall.com/video/christian-village-maaloula-falls-into-jihadists-hands-as-alqaeda-grows-in-syria-n1705356&sa=U&ei=89Y9UoaKI6H7yAGmmIDIAw&ved=0CCcQqQIoADAB&usg=AFQjCNHyG_BFQwxo8LAIqEnvWghTEiJO-g)

Town Hall‎ - 1 day ago
Townhall is packed with breaking news headlines, political news, and conservative opinion with Townhall columnists including Ann Coulter, ...

[LibertyEagle]

Does it strike anyone as odd that the little Kenyan boy just so happens to be wearing an I love NY t-shirt?

[enhanced_deficit]

Yes I noticed that too. But such clothing probably not too unusual, location is being reported as one of the most upscale shopping malls in Kenya.

This is updated news:

Americans among injured in deadly Kenya mall attack (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/21/witness-kenya-mall-attackers-target-non-muslims/2846319/)
USA TODAY

[enhanced_deficit]

It is apparently Israeli owned mall:

Gunmen storm Nairobi mall in suspected terrorist attack, killing at least 25 (http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.548088) Attackers threw grenades and opened fire at the Westgate mall, which has Israeli ownership
(http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.548088)Israeli Foreign Ministrysays three Israeli citizens escaped unharmed.

By The Associated Press, Reuters, Haaretz| Sep 21, 2013 | 09:36 PM

http://www.haaretz.com/polopoly_fs/1.548089.1379782852!/image/3640879947.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_640/3640879947.jpg


The attackers remained inside and firing subsided as military surrounded the mall hours after the attack. People continued to trickle out from hiding places within the Westgate mall, which is frequented by expatriates and rich Kenyans in Nairobi's affluent Westlands neighborhood.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.548088

[Snew]

RIP to the victims. Too much violence in this world :(

[XNavyNuke]

What!?!

That's not possible. CBS reported three years ago on the success of Kenya's gun confiscations.

Kenya's Gun Control (http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-202_162-10002906-5.html)


A General Service Unit soldier stands guard in front of a pile of guns in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Kenya Police in conjunction with the Regional Center for Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA), Kenya National Focal Point for Arms and supported by UNDP conducted the public destruction of 2,545 recovered illicit firearms.

XNN

[enhanced_deficit]

Something very odd about how world leaders have reacted to terror attacks by Al Qaeda linked militants in Kenya vs Syria. Why such diametrically opposite reactions to terrorism A vs terrorism B below?

A- When Al Qaeda linked militants car bombed and killed dozens of civilians in Christian neighborhoods of Syria, world leaders including First SWC / UN lackeys didn't utter a word of condemnation:

'Dozens dead' in Aleppo car bomb attack (http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/2013617114424685997.html)
Jun 17, 2013
A car bomb has struck near the Syrian northern city of Aleppo, killing at ... Monday's blast, carried out by ...
Syria blames al-Qaida after two car bombs kill dozens in Damascus ... (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&cad=rja&ved=0CDYQFjADOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F201 1%2Fdec%2F23%2Fsyria-blames-alqaida-bombs-damascus&ei=G2M-UuWZCJih4AO55ICAAg&usg=AFQjCNE82gnegKOnlaTdo6k-sn5c5FCEgg&bvm=bv.52434380,d.dmg)
www.theguardian.com (http://www.theguardian.com) ›

World leaders keep quiet


B- Al Qaeda linked militants attack and kill dozens of civilians in Kenya and it is being strongly condemned as it should be:


World leaders condemn terror attack at Kenya mall, pledge support

By CNN Staff
September 22, 2013 -- Updated 0220 GMT (1020 HKT)

A rescue worker helps a child outside the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday, September 21. Gunmen burst into the mall and opened fire in a deadly attack. According to a senior Kenyan government source, the gunmen took an unknown number of hostages, and police are trying to negotiate for their release and retake the building. Several hours after the attack, Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group based in Somalia, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack.

(CNN) -- Reaction to a brazen attack at Nairobi's Westgate Mall (http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/kenya-mall-gunbattle/index.html?hpt=hp_t1) that left dozens dead and hundreds more wounded (http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/kenya-mall-hiding-in-fear/index.html) poured in Saturday from around the world, with leaders condemning the killings and pledging support to Kenya:
United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "is following closely and with alarm" the developments and is being regularly briefed by his senior advisers, according to a written statement (http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=45910&Cr=Kenya&Cr1=#.Uj4fytJJPm4) released by the United Nations press office.
Ban spoke with Kenya's president about the attack, it said.
"He also offered his solidarity as the Kenyan authorities handle the incident," the statement said.

United States
The United States has offered its full support to the Kenyan government to bring to justice those responsible for "this heinous act," according to a statement released by the White House (http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2013/09/20130921283289.html#axzz2fZ9Mwq5j).
"We will continue to stand with the Kenyan people in their efforts to confront terrorism in all its forms, including the threat posed by Al-Shabaab," National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said, according to the statement.
"This cowardly act against innocent civilians will not shake our resolve."
The Obama administration also extended its condolences to the families of those killed and injured, including a number of U.S. citizens hurt in the attack, the statement said.
United Kingdom
Prime Minister David Cameron has spoken with Kenya's president, who briefed him on "the current situation and explained that Kenyan security forces were bringing the situation under control," according to a statement released by 10 Downing Street (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nairobi-attack-pm-phone-call-with-kenyas-president-kenyatta).
Cameron "passed on his sincere condolences and assured President Kenyatta that our thoughts were with him and all the people of Kenya at this difficult time," it said.
"The prime minister said we were ready to provide any assistance we could."
France
Two French citizens are among the victims in the attack, according to a statement released by the Elysee Palace (http://www.elysee.fr/communiques-de-presse/article/attentat-terroriste-a-nairobi/).
President Francois Hollande "condemns in the strongest terms this cowardly attack and shares in grief with the family members of our countrymen," the statement said.
"The president also expresses his complete solidarity with the Kenyan authorities."
Canada
Prime Minister Stephen Harper (http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&featureId=6&pageId=49&id=5677) confirmed the deaths of two citizens, including one diplomat, in the attack.
He identified the diplomat, a liaison officer for the Canadian Border Services Agency in Nairobi, as Annemarie Desloges.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/kenya-mall-world-reaction/?hpt=hp_t1

[torchbearer]

RIP to the victims. Too much violence in this world :(

100000 have died in syria thus far.
i guess a few deaths is bigger news in orwellian world.

[libertygrl]

I just saw this news report this Sunday morning on ABC. What immediately caught my eye was the caption in big bold letters meant for the viewers. As they were discussing the event, there was a caption that read: TERRORIST THREAT TO HOMELAND? Just another scare tactic or are they alluding that this is going to happen to us next ? Perhaps wars in Africa and the TSA in shopping malls across the USA?

If you follow the neo-con's list of countries to be attacked as revealed by Gen. Wesley Clark, you will know in advance:

1. Afghanistan
2. Iraq,
3. Libya
4. Syria (?)
5. Iran
6. Somalia - Al Shabab, al Qaida’s affiliate in neighboring Somalia, appeared to claim credit for the attack. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/09/21/202834/39-dead-in-bloody-terror-assault.html#storylink=cpy
7. Sudan
8. Lebanon

[libertygrl]

Appear to be Al Qaeda or terrorist militants behind it as they seemed to be targetting non-muslims but not confirmed. It is apparently an Israeli owned mall.

,,

[enhanced_deficit]

I just saw this news report this Sunday morning on ABC. What immediately caught my eye was the caption in big bold letters meant for the viewers. As they were discussing the event, there was a caption that read: TERRORIST THREAT TO HOMELAND? Just another scare tactic or are they alluding that this is going to happen to us next ? Perhaps wars in Africa and the TSA in shopping malls across the USA?

If you follow the neo-con's list of countries to be attacked as revealed by Gen. Wesley Clark, you will know in advance:

1. Afghanistan
2. Iraq,
3. Libya
4. Syria (?)
5. Iran
6. Somalia - Al Shabab, al Qaida’s affiliate in neighboring Somalia, appeared to claim credit for the attack. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/09/21/202834/39-dead-in-bloody-terror-assault.html#storylink=cpy
7. Sudan
8. Lebanon

Kenya was not on this destabilization list, seems like side effect of illogical policies.

[libertygrl]

Kenya was not on this destabilization list, seems like side effect of illogical policies.

Kenya wasn't but Somalia is. And according to reports, the attackers came from Somalia which is on the list. Therefore, if the powers that be are continuing the same blueprint, (problem - reaction - solution) it would make sense that this event would give reason to go into neighboring Somalia where Al Qaida's affiliate (Al Shabab) is. At least that's the way it appears to me.

[enhanced_deficit]

Kenya wasn't but Somalia is. And according to reports, the attackers came from Somalia which is on the list. Therefore, if the powers that be are continuing the same blueprint, (problem - reaction - solution) it would make sense that this event would give reason to go into neighboring Somalia where Al Qaida's affiliate (Al Shabab) is. At least that's the way it appears to me.


Good point.
It is a global village afterall.


In related news:
Report: Israeli advisers helping Kenya in mall siege (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4432219,00.html)

Israeli security source says Israeli advisors helping in formulation of strategy to end terrorists' siege; Kenyan security source tells AFP Israeli special forces entered mall and are 'rescuing hostages'

News agencies
Latest Update: 09.22.13


"The rebels said the attack was retribution for Kenyan forces' 2011 push into Somalia. A few thousand Kenyan troops have been operating inside Somalia and near their shared border for a few years now battling Islamic militants.

Al-Shabab said on its new Twitter feed - after its old one was shut down on Saturday - that Kenyan officials were asking the hostage-takers to negotiate and offering incentives.

"We'll not negotiate with the Kenyan govt as long as its forces are invading our country, so reap the bitter fruits of your harvest," al-Shabab said in a tweet."

[enhanced_deficit]

TSA checkpoints pat downs/scanners coming to shopping malls? This has been going on in Israel for decades but in USA this will be huge cost.

Analysis: Nairobi attack may trigger tighter security at malls worldwide (http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/22/us-kenya-attack-mallsecurity-analysis-idUSBRE98L0LP20130922)




Reuters
- ‎5 hours ago‎












(Reuters) - The deadly attack on a high-end Nairobi shopping mall on Saturday put the safety of malls around the world into the spotlight and could trigger moves to improve security and make it more visible.

[eduardo89]

Ancestral?

[Nirvikalpa]

Even worse, it's the 'ancestral home country' of all of us (http://humanorigins.si.edu/research/east-african-research/olorgesailie).

//

Praying for the victims, survivors, first responders, etc etc. The pictures looked horrid.

[enhanced_deficit]

Ancestral?

Yes, he has rich heritage. His father was a Kenyan muslim man.

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01740/malik_1740639c.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=u7jZwtiKFtutKM&tbnid=2knCZloCigLJLM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworl dnews%2Fbarackobama%2F8067875%2FBarack-Obamas-half-brother-in-Kenya-marries-teenager.html&ei=wtA_UrWeDoW89gTi1oHIBw&bvm=bv.52434380,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNGoZCooXdG6LwPmG1Ey82hxUzVfpA&ust=1379999407902798)http://yoknyamdabale.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/obama-and-grandmother.jpeg?w=500 (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=jkuhaOqS5osiOM&tbnid=Y1CG48N66MPPCM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyoknyamdabale.wordpress.com%2F201 2%2F11%2F07%2Fobama-the-abusive-two-face-big-brother-to-africans%2Fbarak-obamas-family-roots-in-western-kenya%2F&ei=lM4_Ur7nOI_S9ATGsYCICA&bvm=bv.52434380,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNGoZCooXdG6LwPmG1Ey82hxUzVfpA&ust=1379999407902798)



But according to recent revelations by his pastor of 20 years Rev Wreight, he unfortunately became a puppet of bankers/neocons after entering politics. There were reports of him funding/arming Al Qaeds linked miliants or at best looking the other way.





Even worse, it's the 'ancestral home country' of all of us (http://humanorigins.si.edu/research/east-african-research/olorgesailie).

//

Praying for the victims, survivors, first responders, etc etc. The pictures looked horrid.

Ditto. Prayers for all victims of terrorists attacks in Kenya, Iraq, Syria in last 24 hours.

[devil21]

Here is who my local media did a quick interview with claiming she lives here but was a victim of the Kenya event. She has since shown up on many media outlets as a "witness" to the staged shooting. Just saw her interview on MSNBC. How many of you saw an interview with Bendita Malakia with a lead-in that she is from your area?

Here's her LinkedIn. http://www.linkedin.com/in/bendita

She's a fuckin international infrastructure and banking lawyer in DC....from Harvard Law School even. Not a peep about my city in her profile.

(I'm looking out even more now because a local abandoned mall was recently sold to become a "movie studio" about a year ago, the $100mil sale paid for with taxpayer money. They even had military exercises there about 4 months ago.)

[asurfaholic]

I just heard on the radio that they shut down the twitter accounts of everybody in the mall how does that happen. This seemed like it was in response to the Twitter account that some of these terrorist were. Americans.

What can't have a story get out that doesn't need to get out?

[Feeding the Abscess]

Kenya wasn't but Somalia is. And according to reports, the attackers came from Somalia which is on the list. Therefore, if the powers that be are continuing the same blueprint, (problem - reaction - solution) it would make sense that this event would give reason to go into neighboring Somalia where Al Qaida's affiliate (Al Shabab) is. At least that's the way it appears to me.

We've been in Somalia for years. Since 2006. CIA blacksites and the drone base for Africa are two of the wonderful things we brought there.

[jtap]

100000 have died in syria thus far.
i guess a few deaths is bigger news in orwellian world.

Yep. Reminds me of whenever there are tragedies in more remote areas of the world and the US media doesn't make half the stink they make for disasters that have fractional death tolls in the US. I am always reminded of the Indian Ocean tsunami and the tiny amount of coverage it got compared to hurricane Katrina. 200,000+ foreigners are worth less than 1,000+ Americans...well that's the general feeling I came away with based on how they treated it.

[frodus24]

:-(

[presence]

Kenya interior ministry: 'Our forces are combing the mall floor by floor looking for anyone left behind. We believe all hostages have been released [] authorities are in control of Westgate mall'
'We think that everyone, the hostages, have been evacuated but we don't want to take any chances. The special forces are doing their job and yes, I think we are near the end,' Kenya government spokesman Manoah Esipisu says - via (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24200990)@BBCNews (http://twitter.com/BBCNews) live blog

[enhanced_deficit]

This bombshell from JF Kerry, are neocon puppet masters going to end supporting of Al Qaeda linked groups in Syria due to Kenya mall attack or I'm misreadiung his statement?
He didn't sepcifically say Syria but "anywhere else in the world" covers Syria:

Quote:
1542 GMT: US Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking at a UN conference in New York, pledges his support to the Kenyan people. He says: "Ruthless and valueless terrorists remain a serious challenge everywhere in the world as we all know, whether it's in downtown Manhattan or in a mall in Nairobi, or anywhere else in the world.
"And all of us have a responsibility to remain vigilant. We stand with the Kenyan people.... they are resilient people and they will need the world's support in the coming difficult days."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gMLFv2V61BSfhXYQ4B7_0qiR7Ugw

[enhanced_deficit]

Kenyan Foreign Minister is saying that Americans and a British woman were among attackers:


Kenya mall attacker reportedly apologized to, freed British boy, 4, who called ... (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57604338/kenya-mall-attacker-reportedly-apologized-to-freed-british-boy-4-who-called-him-a-very-bad-man/)


CBS News

- ‎3 hours ago‎











LONDON One of the attackers behind the deadly siege on a mall in Kenya reportedly pleaded for forgiveness and gave a four-year-old British boy chocolate bars after the youngster called him "a very bad man.





(http://abcnews.go.com/International/americans-westgate-mall-attackers-kenya-foreign-minister/story?id=20353503)


Americans Among Westgate Mall Attackers, Kenya Foreign Minister Says (http://abcnews.go.com/International/americans-westgate-mall-attackers-kenya-foreign-minister/story?id=20353503)


ABC News

- ‎8 hours ago‎











"Two or three Americans" participated in the attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi that has left at least 62 people dead and 175 injured, Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed said. A British woman was also among the alleged perpetrators tied to ...

[bolil]

68 dead now. This fucking world. :mad::(:confused:

I want rant it out, but there is nothing there. Why?