Security crackdowns have blunted its capacity to stage regular assaults, but complacency could roll back those gains, as could failure to. The extremist group also has carried out multiple attacks against kenyan troops in the past in. The kenyan government has curbed planned attacks by alshabaab during the holy month of ramadhan, which would have seen a number of kidnappings and hijacking of government vehicles, according to a confidential security brief seen by the sunday nation shows. The islamic militant group alshabaab, based in somalia, has carried out a string of attacks on kenyan soil. Alshabab attacks military base used by us forces in kenya. Al shabaab since it splintered from the islamic courts union icu in 2007, al shabaab has carried out nearly 550 terrorist attacks, killing more than 1,600 and wounding more than 2,100. Attacks on international targets in kenya have raised al shabaabs profile, notably the 20 westgate. Kenya is a key base for fighting alshabab, one of the worlds most resilient extremist organizations.
Schools close in northeast kenya after alshabaab targets teachers. This attack marks a significant escalation of alshababs campaign of attacks inside kenya, said analyst andrew franklin, a former u. Four kenyan school children killed in al shabaab attack on. Alshabab militants frequently launch attacks in northeastern kenya, near the border with somalia. Alshabaab publicly states its attacks are in retaliation to the kenya defence forces incursion in somalia.
These attacks significantly affected kenya s tourism industry, although prior to al shabaab s existence, the 2002 mombasa attacks also targeted tourists. The organisational benefits of alshabaab attacks within kenya are multifaceted. Alshabaab has since staged reprisal attacks against kenya against its citizens and troops at home and across the border and issued several warnings to kenya to pull out of somalia. Kenya attack, carried out by alshabab extremists, kills 3. The al shabab armed group has claimed responsibility for the attack on camp simba a government official said. Kenya defence forces officers patrol the border village of kotile on the lamu garissa and somalia border. Christians slain in suspected al shabaab attack in.
Five years after an attack on nairobis westgate mall, alshabaab appears committed to striking targets across east africa. Alshabaab attacks kenya 16 january 2020 william farmer alshabaab militants from the jihadist groups jaysh ayman wing attacked the camp simba airfield used by the kenyan and us military in kenyas lamu county at around 5. Kenya stops attacks planned by alshabaab during ramadhan. Al shabab attacks on kenyan schools have bred fear among teachers, parents and pupils. Alshabaab latest news, breaking stories and comment the. To counter the movement, east african states should eschew heavyhanded crackdowns and work instead to reduce its appeal to potential recruits.
Jan 16, 2019 intelligence services in kenya were warned that al shabaab was planning terrorist attacks on highprofile targets in the east african country around christmas and the new year, western and. Kenya received warnings of imminent alshabaab terror attack. Somalia terror group alshabaab attacks nairobi, kenya. Fierce fighting follows a dawn attack by alshabab on kenyan soldiers in southern somalia. Jan 05, 2020 three americans were killed in sundays terror attack in kenya. Africa command dismissed the alshabab claims as exaggerated and said u.
Kenya arrests three men for trying to breach british army. Al shabaab, which is allied with al qaeda, or al shabaab sympathizers have killed several nonlocal people in northern kenya since 2011, when kenyan forces led an african coalition into somalia against the rebels in response to terrorist attacks on tourists and others on kenyas coast. Major alshabab attacks targeting kenya news al jazeera. Kenya curbs attacks planned by alshabaab during ramadhan. Us airstrike kills alshabaab leader behind kenya attacks. The number of casualties caused by al shabaab increased at. Kdfs intelligence is following leads over a report that the somalias national intelligence and security agency has been conspiring with al shabaab militia group to coordinate attacks against kenya. Somali intelligence funding shabaab to attack kenya report. Efforts by authorities to stop these assaults on security officers have been less successful than those. Alshabab fighters attack kenya military base in somalia bbc news. Hide footnote most have been killed in attacks using improvised explosive devices in the counties of lamu and mandera.
Alshabaab has vowed retribution on kenya for deploying its troops in 2011 to fight the extremists in neighbouring somalia, where the group is based. At least 10 killed in kenya bus attack claimed by al. Islamist militant group al shabaab attacks kenya base used by us. Alshabab attacks on kenyan schools have bred fear among teachers, parents and pupils. The number of attacks attributed to al shabaab has increased rapidly from less than 10 in 2007 to more than 200 in 2012. Al shabaab, an al qaedalinked islamist insurgent group fighting to overthrow the somali government, also put out a statement promising to carry more attacks. Kenya school attacked by alshabab, several students killed. Extremists attack kenya military base, 3 americans killed. Jan 16, 2019 the islamic militant group al shabaab, based in somalia, has carried out a string of attacks on kenyan soil. The number of attacks attributed to al shabaab has increased rapidly from less than 10 in 2007 to more than 800 in 2014. Jan 05, 2020 this attack marks a significant escalation of alshababs campaign of attacks inside kenya, said analyst andrew franklin, a former u. Jan 16, 2019 as the icu fled to neighbouring countries, al shabaab retreated to somalias southern region where it regrouped and planned attacks. Al shabaab frequently carries out attacks in kenya in retaliation for kenya sending troops into somalia in 2011 after a series of crossborder attacks and kidnappings.
Previously, many of the militant groups attacks were outside major urban population centers. Alshabaab commander killed in somalia by us airstrike. Jan 16, 2019 al shabaab is considered the deadliest terrorist organization in africa and has conducted several spectacular terrorist attacks in somalia and kenya. By mid2011 alshabaab appeared to be on the defensive. Jan 16, 2020 al shabaab attacks kenya 16 january 2020 william farmer al shabaab militants from the jihadist groups jaysh ayman wing attacked the camp simba airfield used by the kenyan and us military in kenya s lamu county at around 5. Scenes from alshababs deadly hotel attack in nairobi. It also justifies them for nebulous reasons associated with international jihad. The attack on tuesday came three years to the day after al shabaab extremists attacked a kenyan military base in neighboring somalia, killing scores of people. The increased number of attacks by somali terrorist group al shabaab in kenya and somalia could lead to security chiefs rethinking their counterterrorism policy. The group has been responsible for attacks on both sides of the somalia and kenya border as it has long vowed to retaliate against kenya for sending in troops to somalia to fight the group. Al shabaab militants were suspected in the killing of two christian teachers on oct. Alshabaab warns of more attacks against kenya, us interests. Start said over the past five years, 46 terrorist incidents have been reported in ethiopia. Alshabaab attacks challenge counter terrorism strategies.
Alshabaab threatens kenya, us with further attacks cgtn. The number of attacks attributed to alshabaab has increased rapidly from less than 10 in 2007 to more than 800 in 2014. Alshabaab militants kill 36 in kenya quarry youtube. The somaliabased alshabaab, which is affiliated with. Jan 15, 2019 scenes from alshababs deadly hotel attack in nairobi by. Al shabaab is viewed by the uk as a terrorist organisation and. Browse the independents complete collection of articles and commentary on alshabaab. Al shabaab attacks in the country have increased this year. Intelligence services in kenya were warned that alshabaab was planning terrorist attacks on highprofile targets in the east african country around christmas and the new year, western and. The group has since been responsible for numerous attacks, including the infamous killing of 148 people primarily students at garissa university college in 2014. Background report alshabaab attack on garissa university in. Why alshabaab targets kenya and what the country can do.
Apr 03, 2015 as with its assault on the westgate mall in nairobi in 20, alshababs attack on a kenyan university thursday in the northeast town of garissa is another example of the armed group striking at vulnerable civilian targets in retaliation for kenyas involvement in a regional military action against it in somalia, analysts say. Alshabaab drew further international condemnation for first banning and then restricting assistance from international aid groups in southern somalia during a deadly drought and famine in 2011. The united states us africa command on tuesday, february 24 confirmed the killing of a senior alshabaab leader believed to be responsible for terrorist attacks in kenya. Kenya foils attacks planned by alshabaab during ramadhan cgtn. The islamist group wants kenyan troops to leave somalia, where they have been helping african. Apr 03, 2015 at least 147 people have died in an attack by al shabab on garissa university, kenya the deadliest assault yet by the islamist group.
A week later, on 5 january 2020, the militants launched a predawn assault on an airbase in kenya used by both kenyan and american forces, killing one us soldier and two private contractors. Islamist group al shabaab attacks us military base in kenya. International and domestic news coverage of attacks can indirectly contribute towards recruitment and fundraising as news coverage provides an opportunity to showcase the groups military prowess and to. Africa command blamed al shabaab, al qaedas outpost in africa, for the attack. The names of the dead are being withheld pending family notification.
Alshabaab claimed the attack as retaliation for ugandan troops participation in amisom. Kenya steps up the war against al shabaab before its elections. Heres a list of deadly attacks carried out by the armed group against kenya and its military installations. Alshabaab extremists have overrun a key military base in kenya, killing three american department of defense personnel and destroying several us. The somaliabased alshabab armed group, which has also carried out a number of attacks in neighbouring kenya, took responsibility for the assault, saying it had killed people that included. Us service member, dod contractors killed in kenya al. The terrorist, alleged to be behind the attack on a military base in manda bay, lamu on january 5, was killed alongside his wife in precision airstrikes conducted on. A kenyan military base, also used by us forces, has come under attack in lamu county. Background report alshabaab attack on westgate mall in kenya. An image distributed by al shabaab after the attack on a military base in kenya shows somalias al shabaab militant groups flag, said to be at the manda bay airfield in manda, lamu, kenya january. Jan 16, 2019 alshabaab publicly states its attacks are in retaliation to the kenya defence forces incursion in somalia. Jan 07, 2020 al shabaab frequently carries out attacks in kenya in retaliation for kenya sending troops into somalia in 2011 after a series of crossborder attacks and kidnappings.
Apr 17, 2020 top leaders of al shabaab and nisa are in contact to derail the ongoing peace processes and target kenyan forces in somalia, the report leaked to the star suggests. Jan 05, 2020 somalias al shabaab militant group attacked on sunday a military base in kenya used by both u. Alshabaabs changing tactics institute for global change. Alshabaab attacks in the country have increased this year. The number of casualties caused by alshabaab increased at.
In april 2015, al shabaab militants attacked kenyas garissa university. A few weeks ago, the embassy warned of a possible attack on a major hotel in kenya. Four people were killed when suspected alshabab militants attacked a bus in northeast kenya on wednesday, a kenyan security official told. Dec 02, 2014 al shabaab militants raided a quarry in kenya, separated the nonmuslims, and executed them. Kenya sent troops into somalia in 2011 as part of an african union peacekeeping mission fighting against alshabaab, and has seen several brutal retaliation attacks both on. May 28, 2019 alshabaab became a significant security concern for nairobi in 2008 following its first attack on kenyan soil. An elite group of soldiers from harakat alshabaab al mujahideens martyrdom brigade launched a daring dawn raid on a u. Sunday march 1, 2020 kenya defence forces officers patrol the border village of kotile on the lamu garissa and somalia border. Apr 17, 2020 kdfs intelligence is following leads over a report that the somalias national intelligence and security agency has been conspiring with al shabaab militia group to coordinate attacks against kenya. Alshabaab remains focused on recapturing power in somalia, but it continues to plot attacks in kenya and tanzania and perhaps in uganda as well.
Four people are killed in a gun and grenade attack in northeast kenya reportedly carried out by alshabab militants. A recent report from the armed conflict location and event data project looks at how alshabaabs attacks in kenya have changed since 2012. Turkish workers wounded in deadly al shabab car bombing. Alshabaab, an alqaeda affiliate, is an evil and remorseless enemy of peace, stability, and freedom in east africa and threatens the very way of life of people there, as well as americans and. Alshabaab kills three americans in attack on us military. The assault on nairobis westgate shopping mall in 20 slaughtered at least 67 innocent people. Jan 05, 2020 al shabaab extremists have overrun a key military base in kenya, killing three american department of defense personnel and destroying several us aircraft and vehicles before they were repelled. The group also called on other terrorist groups to make american interests in kenya their primary target. Jan 15, 2019 heres a list of deadly attacks carried out by the armed group against kenya and its military installations.
An image distributed by al shabaab after the attack on a military base in kenya shows somalias al shabaab militant groups flag, said to be at the. Somali militants attack us drone base and european convoy. Jan 05, 2020 alshabab claimed that there were 17 u. The attack on tuesday came three years to the day after alshabaab extremists attacked a kenyan. The alshabab armed group has claimed responsibility for the attack on camp simba a. Three americans were killed in sundays terror attack in kenya. Al shabaabs assault on a university in northeast kenya in 2015, which killed at least 147 people, was the deadliest terrorist attack in the country since the 1998 u.
Alshabab continues to conduct attacks both within somalia and in neighboring kenya, including a january 15, 2019, attack on an upscale nairobi hotel complex in which at least. Four children shot dead in latest alshabaab attack in kenya. Jan 05, 2020 a kenyan military base, also used by us forces, has come under attack in lamu county. Both kenya and ethiopia battle with the militia group al shabaab, but kenya has proved more vulnerable. The attack on the compound involved indirect and small arms fire, africom said in a statement, before kenya defense forces and u. Kenya stops attacks planned by al shabaab during ramadhan sunday may 3, 2020 the government has thwarted planned attacks by al shabaab during the holy month of ramadhan, which would have seen a number of abductions and hijacking of government vehicles, a confidential security brief seen by the sunday nation shows. Alshabaab attacks military base used by us forces in kenya after an initial penetration of the perimeter, kenya defense forces and u. Three americans killed in alshabaab terror attack in kenya. In april 2015, alshabaab carried out one of its deadliest attacks when it stormed the campus of garissa university. Kenyas wajir town hit by deadly alshabab attack bbc news. Alshabaab is considered the deadliest terrorist organization in africa and has conducted several spectacular terrorist attacks in somalia and kenya. Nov 15, 2017 kenya has suffered the farreaching effects of repeated attacks by somaliabased al shabaab terrorist group for years. How somalia intelligence has been aiding al shabaab.
On june 15 and 17, 2014, alshabaab fighters carried out a series of attacks in and around the town of mpeketoni in kenyas lamu county targeting a police station, hotels, and government offices and killing at least 60 people. In a year when the african union mission in somalia amisom is considering reducing its troops in somalia, alshabaab has launched several assaults in the two countries since. Since kenya intervened militarily in somalia in 2011 to counter crossborder attacks from the alshabaab, an, alqaeda affiliated islamist insurgency, the number of alshabaab attacks and activities in kenya have increased. Al shabaab claimed the attack, which is believed to be the deadliest to hit somalia in over two years acled, 10 january 2020. Starting from alqaedas first major attack in east africa, this timeline tracks alshabaabs advances and setbacks in somalia, as well its attacks in uganda and kenya. Jan 08, 2020 kenya sent troops into somalia in 2011 as part of an african union peacekeeping mission fighting against al shabaab, and has seen several brutal retaliation attacks both on its troops in somalia. As the icu fled to neighbouring countries, al shabaab retreated to somalias southern region where it regrouped and planned attacks. Three americans killed in alshabab attack on base in kenya. Kenya has suffered the farreaching effects of repeated attacks by somaliabased alshabaab terrorist group for years. Already, kenya has seen more than its fair share of al shabaab related terrorism.