Al-Shabaab kill 3 Americans in Kenya

The Islamist militant group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for an attack that killed three Americans at Camp Simba, a military base in the popular coastal region of Lamu, Kenya.

The US military released a statement confirming that two military personnel and one contractor had been killed, and that two others from the Department of Defense has been wounded.

“The wounded Americans are currently in a stable condition and being evacuated”, the statement read.

Commander of US Africa Command, Gen Stephen Townsend, further added “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our teammates that lost their lives today.

“As we honour their sacrifice, let’s also harden our resolve.  Alongside our African and international partners, we will pursue those responsible for this attack and al-Shabaab, who seeks to harm Americans and US interests”.

Since 2011, when Kenya sent troops to neighbouring Somalia to help in the fight against the growing Islamic insurgency, al-Shabaab have carried out a number of attacks on Kenyan soil.

Almost a year ago to the day, the group claimed responsibility for a raid on the Dusit hotel complex in Nairobi, which killed 21 people.

And in June 2018, a US commando was killed in a similar attack by the group.

Since US President Donald Trump came to office, the US has increased its military presence in the region, conducting more airstrikes in Somalia in 2019 than any year previously.

Photo credit: AFP