KENYAN FORCES RESCUE MOST OF MALL HOSTAGES
Nairobi, 17 Dzulqa’idah 1434/23 September 2013 (MINA) – Kenyan security forces are claiming to have rescued most of the hostages being held by al-Shabab fighters in an upscale shopping mall in the capital Nairobi.
Heavily-armed attackers entered the Westgate Mall, not far from the Central Business District, shortly before noon local time on Saturday, Aljazeera quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
Gunfire and an explosion were heard from the shopping centre after dark on Sunday, as security forces intensified efforts to end the standoff amid fears that the death toll could rise sharply following the discovery of more corpses by security men inside the building.
Kenya authorities confirmed late Sunday, at least 68 people have been confirmed dead and 175 others injured in the continuing hostage-taking crisis, Anadolu Agency report.
Col. Cyrus Oguna, a military spokesman, told Al Jazeera that most of the hostages had been released, though he did nt provide an exact number.
“Most of them were dehydrated and suffering from shock,” Oguna said, adding that four Kenyan soldiers were injured in the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, al-Shabab, which has claimed responsibility for the siege, said on its Twitter feed that the “Kenyan government shall be held responsible for any loss of life as a result of such an imprudent move. The call is yours!”
It said “Kenyan forces who’ve just attempted a roof landing must know that they are jeopardising the lives of hostages.”
Speaking to Al Jazeera later, Abu Omar, a spokesman, for the group, ruled out any negotiations over the hostages being held and said they would meet their fate.
It carried out the attack in which they specifically targeted non-Muslims. Kenyans and foreigners were among those confirmed dead, including French, Britons, Indians, Canadians, Chinese and a renowned Ghanaian poet.
The Somali group is demanding that Kenya pull troops back from its neighbour, where al-Shabab is fighting against the government.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and leaders from the different political parties in Kenya, including his arch rival former premier Raila Odinga, came together earlier Sunday in a show of solidarity to condemn that attack.
President Kenyatta revealed losing a nephew and his fiancée in the “cowardly” attack. He insisted that his government would not withdraw its troops from Somalia.
Somali Ambassador to Kenya Mohammed Ali Nur earlier condemned that attack and pledged to continue their collaboration with Kenya in fighting the Al-Shabab militants.
Kenyan Muslims have also denounced the attack, saying it ran counter to the tolerant teachings of their faith. (T/P09/E1).
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).
