Nairobi mall attack: 68 killed, hostages remain trapped on day three
- 9 years ago
Originally published on September 23, 2013
At least 68 people have been killed in the attack on a shopping mall in Kenya by Somali militants of al-Shabaab that began on Saturday (September 21). Authorities say most hostages have been freed but a small number of civilians still remained under the control of the militants as the siege entered its third day on Monday (September 23).
According to Reuters, "referring to an operation underway since early on Sunday, following the storming of the upmarket Westgate mall at lunchtime the previous day, a military spokesman said most of those who had been in the complex were now free.
"He made no mention of killing or capturing militants but said commanders hoped to end the operation "very, very soon". Reuters journalists outside the mall heard only very occasional gunfire and an explosion. There was no clear word on the fate of people said to be held by a dozen or so gunmen in a supermarket.
"Al Shabaab in Somalia said its fighters were demanding Kenya pull out troops from its northern neighbor, where they have put the al Qaeda-affiliated group on the defensive in the past two years.
""Most of the hostages have been released, and the Kenya Defence Forces has taken control of most parts of the building," Colonel Cyrus Oguna told local station KTN, giving no details. He told Britain's Sky News late on Sunday: "A large number of hostages have been rescued since this morning."
"Earlier, as people continued to emerge from hiding while troops and police moved to secure the sprawling complex, officials said concern now focused on a large supermarket where Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said 10 to 15 guerrillas, some possibly women, were holding an unspecified number of people."
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At least 68 people have been killed in the attack on a shopping mall in Kenya by Somali militants of al-Shabaab that began on Saturday (September 21). Authorities say most hostages have been freed but a small number of civilians still remained under the control of the militants as the siege entered its third day on Monday (September 23).
According to Reuters, "referring to an operation underway since early on Sunday, following the storming of the upmarket Westgate mall at lunchtime the previous day, a military spokesman said most of those who had been in the complex were now free.
"He made no mention of killing or capturing militants but said commanders hoped to end the operation "very, very soon". Reuters journalists outside the mall heard only very occasional gunfire and an explosion. There was no clear word on the fate of people said to be held by a dozen or so gunmen in a supermarket.
"Al Shabaab in Somalia said its fighters were demanding Kenya pull out troops from its northern neighbor, where they have put the al Qaeda-affiliated group on the defensive in the past two years.
""Most of the hostages have been released, and the Kenya Defence Forces has taken control of most parts of the building," Colonel Cyrus Oguna told local station KTN, giving no details. He told Britain's Sky News late on Sunday: "A large number of hostages have been rescued since this morning."
"Earlier, as people continued to emerge from hiding while troops and police moved to secure the sprawling complex, officials said concern now focused on a large supermarket where Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said 10 to 15 guerrillas, some possibly women, were holding an unspecified number of people."
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TomoNews is your daily source for top animated news. We've combined animation and video footage with a snarky personality to bring you the biggest and best stories from around the world.
For