Kenya Mall Attack Update

Received this from a very good friend who follows these events very closely in his line of work (non US governmental):

Here are some updated notes on what occurred:

Notes on Nairobi Attack 21 September 2013

Update as of 15:00 NYT = 

·        Al Shabaab (AS) has claimed responsibility

·        Situation is currently a state of siege on the 2^nd floor of the mall

·        Approx 20 AS operatives/Team leader reportedly female

·        AS wore Combat fatigues, Kevlar helmets and vests (bullet-proof or flack unknown)

·        1 AS WIA and in custody of Kenya authorities

·        Targeted US/UK civilians and asked about religion

·        AS operative overheard stating “We’re killing you, because you’re killing us.”

First notes received as the incident was unfolding:

As of this moment, we understand that some of the assailants are still in the Westgate plaza and gunfire can still be heard.  The police have sealed off the area and are reportedly engaging the assailants.  Both the Inspector General of Police and Minister of Internal Security are at the scene.

Early indications suggest that this was a complex, two pronged assault on Westgate Shopping Centre.  Assailants apparently entered the ground floor of the shopping mall through the main pedestrian entrance, firing indiscriminately and possibly also throwing hand grenades.  At around the same time, another group of assailants entered the mall from the 2nd floor (3rd floor if you're American) car park with small arms only.  

Single-source report confirms this is very likely an Al-Shabaab attack. The perpetrators are reportedly Kenyan Somali diasporas, including a female. No claim yet on pro-AS websites but they may just wait until it ends. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more.

An update from the same source (assessed as highly reliable): an eye witness who spoke to our source identified two of the attackers as Somali diasporas from Western countries (because of their English accent and clothing) and at least one Kenyan Somali diaspora (because of his broken Somali and good Kiswahili). The eye witness also reported seven people killed in the parking lot at the upper floor (including her husband). No confirmation as regards number and origin of the other attackers. No official claim yet by AS.