Israel Matzav

Assault on Kenyan shopping mall continues, Kenyans confirm Israelis helping them

An assault on a group of al-Qaeda terrorists who murdered dozens and took many hostages in a Nairobi shopping mall is continuing on Monday.

Let's go to the videotape.

Here's the latest update.

A loud explosion has sent thick smoke billowing from the Westgate shopping complex in Nairobi where 69 people, including four Britons, have died in a raid by Islamic militants.

The blast was followed by other smaller detonations and volleys of gunfire as Kenyan troops laid siege to the four-story complex.

A security official told reporters at the scene: "It is us who caused the explosion, we are trying to get in through the roof."

Sky’s Stuart Ramsay said he had been told some of the al Shebaab terrorists had blown themselves up while others has been "taken out" by Kenyan special forces.

...

"We have managed to rescue more hostages overnight and very few are remaining," said Kenyan police chief David Kimaiyo. "We are also closing in on the attackers."

Officials said up to 15 may still be inside the building. They have apparently been using the remaining hostages as human shields and have threatened to kill them.

...

Kenyan military spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna told Sky News: "We do not negotiate with terrorists and that position has not changed. Everyone who has been rescued is being checked to make sure none of the terrorists escaped during the dragnet."

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said there have been "numerous offers of assistance from friendly countries" to end the stand-off, but that for now it remains a Kenyan operation.

However, a Kenyan security source has confirmed that Israeli agents "are rescuing the hostages and the injured". The Westgate shopping complex is part Israeli-owned.

Britain's SAS is also reportedly helping out in an advisory role, along with US agents..

The Kenyan Red Cross says 69 people have been killed, at least 63 remain missing and around 200 have been injured. Five of these are said to be from the US.

Police have conceded the number of dead could be "much, much higher", after reports emerged that there are multiple fatalities still inside the centre.

 'Religion of peace' anyone?

Labels: Islamic terrorism, Kenya, Nairobi

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:35 PM