Manda Bay Terrorist Attack: U.S. service member and two DOD contractors killed
UPDATE: U.S. Statement on Manda Bay Terrorist Attack During an attack by al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida group in East Africa, earlier today, one (1) U.S. service member and two (2) Department of Defense contractors were killed at a Kenya Defense Force Military Base in Manda Bay, Kenya.
By U.S. AFRICA COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, United States Africa CommandStuttgart, Germany Jan 05, 2020
During an attack by al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida group in East Africa, earlier today, one (1) U.S. service member and two (2) Department of Defense contractors were killed at a Kenya Defense Force Military Base in Manda Bay, Kenya.
In addition, two (2) Department of Defense members were wounded. The wounded Americans are currently in stable condition and being evacuated.
At this time, the names of the fallen and the wounded are being withheld as part of the next of kin notification process. Out of respect for the families of the fallen and injured, we ask that everyone respect their privacy during this difficult time. The Department of Defense is fully committed to providing the families of the fallen dedicated care, service, and support.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our teammates who lost their lives today,” said U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command. “As we honor 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 U.S. interests. We remain committed to preventing al-Shabaab from maintaining a safe haven to plan deadly attacks against the U.S. homeland, East African, and international partners.”
Al-Shabaab senior leaders pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and are believed to have trained and fought in Afghanistan. In 2008, the U.S. Government designated al-Shabaab as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Historically, al-Shabaab has been willing to engage large forces, often using surprise and asymmetric tactics. The terrorist group has expressed the intent to attack the United States homeland and target Americans, but U.S. persistent pressure placed on them constrains their ability to carry out those desires.
The attack on the compound today involved indirect and small arms fire. After an initial penetration of the perimeter, Kenya Defense Forces and U.S. Africa Command repelled the al-Shabaab attack. Reports indicate that six contractor-operated civilian aircraft were damaged to some degree. Manda Bay Airfield is utilized by U.S. forces whose missions include providing training to our African partners, responding to crises, and protecting U.S. interests in this strategically important area.
“The work that our U.S. forces are doing in East Africa bolsters partnerships, counters malign influence, and maintains critical pressure on terrorist networks,” said Townsend. “Our efforts directly contribute to counterterrorism, maritime surveillance, and intelligence sharing missions with our Kenyan partners. This activity enables enhanced security and stability in the region and for America.”
The desired end state in East Africa is one in which terrorist organizations are not able to threaten the U.S. homeland, U.S. persons, international allies, or destabilize the region.
Three U.S. Department of Defense personnel are dead after extremist fighters overran a military base in Kenya used by U.S. counter-terrorism forces. VOA news
Somali militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the Sunday morning attack on the Mada Bay Airfield in eastern Kenya, used by U.S. and Kenyan military teams.
A statement by the U.S. military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) says “six contractor-operated civilian aircraft were damaged” in the attack. It says that “after an initial penetration of the perimeter, Kenya Defense Forces and U.S. Africa Command repelled the al-Shabab attack.”
The Kenya Defense Forces said in a statement that five attackers were killed.
AFRICOM says Manda Bay is used by U.S. forces to train African partner forces, respond to crises and protect U.S. interests in the region.
Al-Shabab said in a statement that it had taken control of part of the base, and it had inflicted casualties in the attack.
One witness who didn’t want to be named for fear of reprisals told VOA he was awakened by explosions, followed by hours of gunfire sounds.
“We heard heavy explosions at around 4,” he said. “In the beginning, we thought this was a usual explosion we hear around the area. Then we saw a fire and thick black smoke. Then for a while, it was quiet at around 6, then we heard gun attacks up to 8. It was at that time we saw a plane dropping something that looked like bombs.”
Witnesses told VOA there was still a heavy security presence of in and around the area. Security officers could be seen asking some civilians for identification documents.
Richard Tuta, a security expert, based in Nairobi, says al-Shabab are seeking recognition as U.S.-Iranian tension grows after the U.S. airstrike that killed the Iranian Quds Force commander, General Qassem Soleimani.
“They are aware currently the focus is on a retaliatory attack as a result of what happened in Baghdad. So to them, this an opportunity for them also to rebrand themselves internationally. That’s why despite the fact that they knew very well that they were going to lose, but they had to do it in order to rebrand themselves internationally,” he said.
The attack comes days after al-Shabab fighters killed three people on a passenger bus in Lamu County. The group was also responsible for a massive explosion in Somalia’s capital that killed more than 80 people.
23-year-old United States Army Specialist Henry Mayfield Jr Has been identified as a soldier killed by the local news Nhttp://Nbcbc