Attack in Kenya: 21 confirmed deaths



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The attackers, two of whom are shown here, were captured under video surveillance as they entered the complex.

At least 21 people were killed when Somali militants stormed a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi, the Kenyan government confirmed.

Hundreds of people were forced to flee the bloodshed Tuesday in the DusitD2 hotel complex.

Some 28 wounded were admitted to the hospital and the Kenya Red Cross said 19 others were still missing.

The Islamist group al-Shabab, based in Somalia, said it was behind the attack, which triggered a 19-hour security operation.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said the siege was over with five jihadist attackers "eliminated".

Kenya has been a target of Al-Shabab since October 2011, when it sent its army to Somalia to fight the jihadist group.

Andrew Harding, of the BBC in Nairobi, said groups of threatening civilians had been escorted by security forces Tuesday night to ensure their safety, in the context of sporadic bursts and numerous explosions that continued well after dawn. Many had spent hours in their office or bathroom.

In the busy street in front of the large upscale resort, friends and relatives embraced those who emerged and thanked the Kenyan security forces.

People in mourning have begun to bury the dead.

In a televised speech, President Kenyatta said that "anyone involved in the financing, planning and execution of this heinous act" would be pursued "relentlessly".

Image Caption People arrive at the Chiromo morgue in Nairobi to help identify the victims

According to the Reuters news agency, al-Shabab issued a statement in which he described the attack as a "reaction" to US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital. d & # 39; Israel.

Jerusalem is a sacred city in Islam, Judaism and Christianity – and while Israel views Jerusalem as its indivisible capital, Palestinians claim the eastern part of the city as the capital of a future State.

Who are the victims?

US citizen Jason Spindler is among the dead. His brother, Jonathan, announced on Twitter that Jason survived the September 11 attacks in New York.

In an interview with US television channel NBC, Sarah Spindler, said that his son was trying to "positively change the third world in emerging markets."

The British national Luke Potter, who had dual South African nationality, was also killed and another Briton was injured, the British Foreign Ministry said.

Kenyan James Oduor, better known as Cobra, tweeted during the course of the attack. He was known for his love of football and was appreciated.

Two Kenyan friends, Abdalla Dahir and Feisal Ahmed, were having lunch together in the hotel compound when the suicide bombing hit, the Reuters news agency reported. Friends have described the couple as inseparable.

How did the attack unfold?

The attack began around 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT) Tuesday. The gunmen threw bombs at vehicles in the parking lot before entering the lobby, where one of them blew up, announced the police.

A woman working in a nearby building told Reuters: "I just heard gunshots, then I saw people running away with their hands raised and some went into the bank to hide. .

A security camera showed at least four heavily armed men entering and opening fire. According to reports, they have been seen visiting the compound in recent days.

At 11 pm, a government official said all the buildings in the compound had been secured by the security forces.

But just an hour later, sporadic gunfire and explosions were reported in the area. There were other heavy shots at around 7:00 am on Wednesday.

The security forces then made their way through the building where frightened workers had barricaded themselves inside.

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