al-Shabaab terrorist attack on mall in Nairobi Kenya leave 68 dead

Islamist militants were holding hostages on Sunday at a shopping mall in Nairobi, where at least 68 people were killed in an attack by the Somali al Shabaab group, which demanded that Kenya pull troops back from its neighbor.

Kenya map source/CIA

A Reuters correspondent saw security personnel on the move after gunfire and, as dusk closed in, two helicopters swooped low over the Westgate shopping center, which has several Israeli-owned outlets and is frequented by prosperous Kenyans and foreigners.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta sought to reassure shaken Kenyans in an address to the nation just hours after the attack. The president condemned what he called the cowardly act and praised Kenyans for their solidarity in the face of the terrorist threat.

He continued, vowing to stand firm against Somali militants, but was cautious about the outcome, saying chances of the attackers being “neutralized” were “as good … as we can hope for”.

“Terrorism in and of itself is the philosophy of cowards. The way we lead our lives in freedom, unity and consideration for each other represents our victory over those who wish us ill.”

“We will punish the masterminds swiftly and painfully,” he said.

In addition to the dead, more than 175 people were wounded in an attack that began around the middle of the day on Saturday, when the mall was packed with customers.

Officials did not say how many hostages were being held, although one Kenyan television station cited a figure of 30.

Al-Shabaab posted messages on the Internet saying it carried out the assault in retaliation for Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab said it had warned in the past that Kenya’s military presence in Somalia would bring “severe consequences.” The militants said on Twitter that the bloodshed at the mall in Nairobi is only a “very tiny fraction” of the violence that has been inflicted on Muslims in Somalia.