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{{Short description|2013 terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya}} | |||
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} | |||
{{Pp-move|small=yes}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}} | |||
{{ |
{{Use Kenyan English|date=October 2021}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} | |||
{{Infobox |
{{Infobox military conflict | ||
| |
| conflict = Westgate shopping mall attack | ||
| partof = the ] and ] | |||
| partof = | |||
| image = |
| image = Smoke above Westgate mall.jpg | ||
| image_size = | | image_size = 300 | ||
| caption = Smoke over Westgate shopping mall on 23 September 2013 | |||
| alt = | |||
| date = 21–24 September 2013 | |||
| caption = Westgate shopping mall in July 2007. | |||
| |
| place = ], ] | ||
| |
| result = Crisis ended | ||
* 71 Killed | |||
| map_alt = | |||
* Friendly fire incident kills a police unit commander and injures two more | |||
| map_caption = | |||
* Partial collapse of the Westgate Mall | |||
| location = ], ], Kenya | |||
| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg}} ''']''' | |||
| coordinates = {{Coord|1|15|25|S|36|48|12|E}} | |||
| |
| combatant2 = {{Flagicon|Kenya}} ] | ||
* ] ] | |||
| time = ~12:00–12:30 onwards for at least 30 hours<!--need to complete this when its actually over--> | |||
* ] ] | |||
| timezone = ]+3 | |||
* ] ] | |||
| type = ], shooting | |||
* ] ] | |||
| fatalities = 68+<ref name="CNN Kenya Standoff">{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack/ | title=Kenya mall attack: Death toll rises to 68 | publisher=] | date=September 22 2013 | accessdate=September 22 2013}}</ref> | |||
* {{Flagicon|Kenya}} ] | |||
| injuries = 200+<ref>http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0922/475711-kenya-attack/</ref> | |||
'''Supported by:''' | |||
| victims = | |||
{{flagicon|United States}} ]<br>{{flagicon|Israel}} ]<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} ] | |||
| perp = ] | |||
| commander1 = {{Flagdeco|Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant}} ]<br> {{Flagdeco|Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant}} Adan Garaar<br>{{Flagdeco|Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant}} ]{{KIA}} <br/>{{Flagdeco|Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant}} ] {{KIA}}<br>{{Flagdeco|Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant}} Umayr al-Mogadish{{KIA}}<br>{{Flagdeco|Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant}} ]{{KIA}} | |||
| perpetrators= | |||
| commander2 = {{Flagicon|Kenya}} ]<br>{{Flagicon|Kenya}} ]<br>{{Flagicon|Kenya}} William Saiya Aswenje<br>] ]<br> ] Grace Kaindi<br> ] Martin Munene{{KIA}} | |||
| susperps = | |||
| units1 = Unknown | |||
| weapons = ]s<ref>{{cite web|last=Blair |first=Edmund |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/21/us-kenya-attack-idUSBRE98K03V20130921 |title=Islamists claim gun attack on Nairobi mall, at least 39 dead |agency=Reuters |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref><br>]s | |||
| units2 = {{flagicon|Kenya}} ]<br>] Recce Squad | |||
| numparts = | |||
| |
| strength1 = 4 fighters | ||
| strength2 = {{flagicon|Kenya}} Unknown | |||
| motive = | |||
| casualties1 = 4 killed | |||
| casualties2 = {{flagicon|Kenya}}: 5 killed, 12 wounded | |||
| casualties3 = 62 civilians killed, 163 wounded | |||
| notes = {{Note label|KIA|*}} Al Shabaab leaders subsequently killed in retaliatory air-strikes (per Kenya's military). | |||
| coordinates = {{Coord|1|15|25|S|36|48|12|E|type:event_region:KE|display=inline,title}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{History of Kenya}} | |||
On 21 September 2013, ten presently unidentified gunmen attacked the upscale ] in ], ], fatally shooting at least 68 people, according to the Kenyan Red Cross, and wounding more than 200 people in a ]. Islamist group ] claimed responsibility for the incident and characterised it as retribution for the ]'s actions in Somalia. with many media outlets suspecting the ]-based group in line with their warnings following ] in 2011–2012. The attack is still considered ongoing with hostages being held. | |||
On 21 September 2013, four masked gunmen attacked the ], an ] mall in ],<ref name="wp">{{cite news| agency=Associated Press| author1=Daniel, Douglass K. | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/gunmen-use-grenades-open-fire-at-nairobis-most-upscale-mall/2013/09/21/a9403b3a-22a8-11e3-ad1a-1a919f2ed890_story_1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922155502/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/gunmen-use-grenades-open-fire-at-nairobis-most-upscale-mall/2013/09/21/a9403b3a-22a8-11e3-ad1a-1a919f2ed890_story_1.html | archive-date=22 September 2013 |title=39 people killed in Kenya mall attack claimed by Somali militants; hostages still held| date=21 September 2013| newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=21 September 2013|page=2| url-status=dead}}</ref> Kenya. There are conflicting reports about the number killed in the attack, since part of the mall collapsed due to a fire that started during the siege.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R43245.pdf|title=The September 2013 Terrorist Attack in Kenya: In Brief|last=Plock-Blanchard|first=Lauren|date=14 November 2013|website=Congressional Research Service|access-date=11 July 2018}}</ref> The attack resulted in 71 total deaths,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29282045|title=Westgate's unanswered questions|last=Okari|first=Dennis|date=22 September 2014|work=BBC News|access-date=11 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> including 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers, and all four gunmen. Approximately 200 people were wounded in the ] | |||
The ] group ] claimed responsibility for the incident, which it characterised as retribution for the ]'s deployment in the group's home country of ] following ] from 2011 to 2012. | |||
Kenyan authorities arrested dozens of people in the aftermath of the attack, but had not announced any suspects directly related to the siege. On 4 November 2013, a Kenyan court charged four Somali nationals with harbouring the gunmen in their homes, with each pleading not guilty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suarez |first=K. D. |date=5 November 2013 |title=Kenya charges four over Westgate mall attack |url=https://www.rappler.com/world/africa/42911-kenya-charges-four-over-westgate-mall-attack/ |access-date=13 June 2024 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
On 20 September 2015, '']'' magazine reported the Westgate attack on 21 September lasted several hours, with the last victim killed before special Kenyan security forces entered the mall.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/09/20/nairobi-kenya-westgate-mall-attack-al-shabab/ |title='Close Your Eyes and Pretend to Be Dead' What really happened two years ago in the bloody attack on Nairobi's Westgate Mall. | |||
|last=McConnell|first=Tristan | date=20 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://isdacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1-FY14_2Q_Final-Westgate-Mall-Attack-Case-Study-31-Jan-14-1.pdf |title=Case Study: Terrorist Attack on Westgate Shopping Mall, Nairobi, Kenya, September 21-24, 2013|date=29 March 2014}}</ref> The mall was officially declared secured on 24 September. | |||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
A week before the incident, and a month after ] warnings of attacks, Kenyan police claimed to have disrupted a major attack in its final stages of planning after arresting two people with suicide vests packed with ], grenades and AK-47 assault rifles. The two suspects were from a Nairobi neighbourhood where Somali immigrants reside. A manhunt was also launched for eight more suspects.<ref name="brit">{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/kenya/10325536/Nairobi-shopping-mall-attacks-Britons-among-those-caught-up-in-terrorist-assault.html|title=Nairobi shopping mall attacks: Britons among those caught up in terrorist assault|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> '']'' claimed that it had seen United Nations documents that warned last month of an "attempted large-scale attack" as "elevated."<ref name="brit"/> | |||
The incident followed threats from ] in late 2011 of attacks in ] in retaliation for ], a coordinated military operation in southern ] that was launched against the group by the ] and ].<ref name="wp" /><ref name="Jcoln">{{cite web|title=Joint Communique – Operation Linda Nchi|url=http://kenyahighcomtz.org/?action=event-read-more.html&id=1|publisher=Kenya High Commission, Tanzania|access-date=25 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816100759/http://www.kenyahighcomtz.org/?action=event-read-more.html&id=1|archive-date=16 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> One week before the incident and a month after ] warnings of possible attacks, Kenyan police claimed to have disrupted a major attack in its final stages of planning after arresting two people with grenades, ] assault rifles, and suicide vests packed with ]. The two suspects were from a Nairobi neighbourhood where Somali immigrants live. A manhunt was also launched for eight more suspects.<ref name="brit">{{cite news| author1=Pflanz, Mike | author2=Alexander, Harriet | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/kenya/10325536/Nairobi-shopping-mall-attacks-Britons-among-those-caught-up-in-terrorist-assault.html | title=Nairobi shopping mall attacks: Britons among those caught up in terrorist assault| date=21 September 2013| work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=21 September 2013 | location=London}}</ref> '']'' claimed that it had seen United Nations documents that warned that in the previous month the threat of an "attempted large-scale attack" in Kenya was "elevated."<ref name="brit"/> After the incident, Nairobi senator ] claimed that he had warned the security services of a possible attack three months previously.<ref>{{cite news| author1=Bariyo, Nicholas | author2=Vogt, Heidi | author3=Bryan-Low, Cassell|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304526204579096713497161006 | title=Kenya Starts Probe in Wake of Mall Siege| date=25 September 2013| work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=26 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.kenyan-post.com/2013/09/shocking-mike-sonko-claims-he-alerted.html| title=Mike Sonko claims he alerted NSIS...| date=25 September 2013| work=The Kenyan Daily Post| access-date=26 September 2013| archive-date=28 September 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928055359/http://www.kenyan-post.com/2013/09/shocking-mike-sonko-claims-he-alerted.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> The country was celebrating the ] when the incident took place. | |||
==Shootings and hostage siege== | |||
On 21 September 2013 at about noon,<ref name="aljaz"/><ref name="wp"/> masked gunmen<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/kenya-mall-shooting-kills-at-least-22-1.1863137|title=Kenya mall shooting kills at least 22|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> attacked the upscale Westgate shopping mall in Westlands district as it was hosting a children's day event.<ref name="usatoday"/> The fighting was ongoing with armed police at least 20 hours later.<ref name="brit"/> The gunmen reportedly carried assault rifles and wore combat fatigues. There were additional reports of grenade explosions. Police surrounded the area and urged residents to stay away. A report indicated that about 80 people were trapped in the basement, but police said that they had escorted some shoppers to safety and were trying to capture the gunmen.<ref name="aljaz"/> The Secretary-General of the ] Abbas Gullet said that rescue workers could not reach some of the patrons in the mall. Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo wrote on Twitter that "police at the scene and the area is surrounded."<ref name=usatoday/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/kenya-forces-deployed-at-nairobi-shopping-mall-after-gunfire |title=Kenya forces deployed at Nairobi shopping mall after gunfire |publisher=The Malay Mail Online |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="abc"/> | |||
== Preparation == | |||
Rob vandijk, an employee of the Dutch embassy, said that while he was eating at a restaurant the attack commenced with grenades and was then followed by gunfire as patrons screamed as they dropped to the ground. Other witnesses said the attack began at the outdoor seating area of Artcaffe at the front of the mall. An Artcaffe employee, Patrick Kuria, said: ''"We started by hearing gunshots downstairs and outside. Later we heard them come inside. We took cover. Then we saw two gunmen wearing black turbans. I saw them shoot."'' Some of the casualties were shot at the entrance to the mall after gunfire moved outside and a standoff then commenced with police. Ambulances were present at the mall as they started moving emerging victims. Reports indicated the presence of children, including patrons carrying small children. Mall security guards used shopping carts to ferry out wounded children.<ref name=usatoday>{{cite news|last=Bhatti|first=Jabeen|title=Non-Muslims targeted in deadly mall attack, Kenyans say|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/21/witness-kenya-mall-attackers-target-non-muslims/2846319/|newspaper=USA Today|date=21 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
An Al-Shabaab team, led by the Somali national Adam Garaar, conducted extensive reconnaissance of the building, noting entrances, exits, security systems, and other details. The mall’s unarmed security guards and casual checks for metal objects made it an attractive target for the group. Garaar, who was the head of Al-Shabaab’s external operations unit, took advantage of Kenya’s relaxed security measures and relocated to the town of ] in 2011 and began to plan the Westgate attack, securing support from Al-Shabaab’s leadership. The team visited Nairobi several times to inspect the mall and built a network to covertly obtain weapons, ammunition, SIM cards and a ]. He reported his findings through Al-Shabaab’s chain of command who then submitted plans to Al-Shabaab’s senior operations commander, Abdirahman Sandhere and was approved by the emir of Al-Shabaab, Ahmed Godane shortly after.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Maruf |first1=Harun |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv6mtfn2 |title=Inside Al-Shabaab: The Secret History of Al-Qaeda's Most Powerful Ally |last2=Joseph |first2=Dan |date=2018 |publisher=Indiana University Press |jstor=j.ctv6mtfn2 |isbn=978-0-253-03748-0}}</ref> All four attackers arrived around three months before the siege. Adam Garaar was killed after a drone strike on 12 March 2015. Garaar was in a vehicle hit by a missile near the town of ] in southern Somalia.<ref name="time-garar-dead">{{cite magazine |last1=Regan |first1=Helen |date=19 March 2015 |title=Al-Shabab Leader Killed in Drone Strike |url=https://time.com/3750378/al-shabaab-adan-garar-killed-drone-strike-u-s-pentagon-confirmed/ |access-date=19 March 2015 |magazine=] }}</ref><ref name="dod-garar-dead">{{cite press release |title=Statement on March 12 Airstrike in Somalia |url=http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=17186 |publisher=US Department of Defense |access-date=19 March 2015 |work=Release No: NR-089-15 |date=18 March 2015 |quote=The attack was a success and resulted in the death of Garar.}}</ref> | |||
On 17 June 2013, one of the attackers, Mohamed Abdinur Said, known by his ] as Umayr al-Mogadish,<ref name=":0" /> boarded East African Express flight 803 from Mogadishu's ] to Nairobi via ] and Entebbe, Uganda. Abdinur, who presented himself as a student with no travel history, passed through security without arousing suspicion. Call log data later revealed that he made several phone calls to known Al-Shabaab members in Somalia while waiting for the flight to be cleared at ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2020 |title=Westgate terrorists: The untold story |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/westgate-terrorists-the-untold-story-3207874 |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref> | |||
'']'' footage showed dozens of people escaping from a back entrance. '']'' correspondent Marco Lui was on the second floor of the mall when the attack started; he said that two explosions happened within about five minutes of each other. ''"We heard a noise from the ground floor and people started running to the parking area on the rooftop. They were panicking and then the second blast went off and people were even more panicked."'' Other eyewitnesses said that in addition to grenades, the attackers used ]s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ombok|first=Eric|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-21/kenyan-police-surround-nairobi-shopping-mall-after-gunfire.html|title=Kenya Forces Deployed at Nairobi Shopping Mall After Gunfire|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|date=17 September 2013|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> Twenty people were rescued from a toy shop on the upper floor, while a woman writing on Twitter under the name "Shirley Ghetto" was hiding under mattresses in the mall, and asked: "Is it safe to come out from hiding? It's quiet. Have the cops tackled the culprits? Please keep me updated. #Westgate.."<ref name="brit"/> As the Kenyan army troops arrived, they used tear gas to try to smoke out the attackers from the cinema complex. Vehicles riddled with bullet holes were left abandoned in front of the mall. Kimaiyo said: ''"Our officers are on the ground carrying out an evacuation of those inside as they search for the attackers who are said to be inside."''<ref name="brit"/> A police officer said that the gunmen were barricaded inside the Nakumatt supermarket. He said that there were three bodies there while he pointed to a pool of blood by a children's shoe shop. He then pointed to an hamburger bar where music still played and indicated more bodies were found there.<ref name="chicago">{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-kenya-mall-attack-20130921,0,4570194.story|title=Kenya mall attack: At least 25 dead, one gunmen arrested|work=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
Two other attackers, including Ahmed Hassan Abukar and ], used Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport as a point of entry into Kenya to avoid the heightened security measures at Nairobi's ] (JKIA). Abukar and Abdinur had known each other from their time in Kakuma Refugee Camp, and over the years had been radicalised by Al Shabaab, while Dhuhulow was radicalised online in Norway. By 26 July 2013, Mohamed Abdinur boarded a bus from Kampala to Nairobi, joining Ahmed Abukar, who was already in Kenya. The attackers communicated extensively via phone, coordinating their movements across Uganda and Kenya. Abdinur, believed to be the group’s leader, made frequent calls to Mohamed Abdi, who was later convicted for his role in planning the attack.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2020 |title=Kenyan Court Sentences Two to Prison for Westgate Mall Attack |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_kenyan-court-sentences-two-prison-westgate-mall-attack/6197797.html |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2020 |title=How the terrorists left Eastleigh for Westgate |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/how-the-terrorists-left-eastleigh-for-westgate-3211286 |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref> | |||
By nightfall, the mall remained sealed off to the public while security services searched floor by floor for the gunmen, who were believed to be inside with the hostages.<ref name="abc">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/nairobi-mall-shooting.html?_r=0</ref> People continued to trickle out from hiding places.<ref name="abc2">{{cite web|author=Jason Straziuso|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/gunmen-open-fire-nairobis-upscale-mall-20326850|title=Kenya Red Cross: 22 Dead in Upscale Mall Attack|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> Internal Security Minister ] then said that the government was in control of the situation. Kimaiyo also wrote on Twitter that several of the other assailants had been pinned down after security forces moved into the mall.<ref name="aljaz3"/> After midnight the hostages were still held. President ] said the security operation was "delicate" and that a top priority was to safeguard hostages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.msn.com/world/39-dead-in-kenya-mall-attack-hostages-still-held?stay=1 |title=Somali militants claim Kenya mall attack; 30 dead |publisher=MSN |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> At about 2:30 — an hour after reporting five "visibly shaken" hostages' release — the National Disaster Operation Centre wrote on Twitter "major operations underway."<ref name="ccn2"/><ref>{{cite news|title=39 killed and more carnage feared as Kenya mall attackers dig in|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/kenya-mall-gunbattle/index.html|publisher=CNN|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> As daylight broke, several of those hiding in the mall escaped. | |||
==Shootings and initial siege== | |||
The next evening, after nightfall, over 24 hours after the beginning of the attack, gunfire was still heard at the mall. Kenyan forces had rescued about 1,000 hostages, according to Interior Cabinet Secretary ]. He added that "the priority is to save as many lives as possible," as he reassured the families of the hostages. He further noted that there were 10 to 15 attackers involved and that Kenyan forces had control of the security cameras inside the mall. The military spokesman, Colonel Cyrus Oguna, said that most of the hostages had been released, saying that "most of them were dehydrated and suffering from shock;" he added that four Kenyan soldiers were injured in the rescue operation.<ref name="aljaz3"/> Scores of Kenyans were at a site by the mall as the operations continued.<ref name="independent1">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/nairobi-shopping-centre-attacks-death-toll-hits-68-as-siege-continues-29596919.html</ref> | |||
] helicopter hovers over the Westgate mall, 23 September]] | |||
] | |||
On Saturday 21 September 2013, at about 12:25pm,<ref name="wp"/><ref name="aljaz">{{cite web |date=21 September 2013 |title=Deadly gunbattle in Nairobi shopping mall |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/09/201392110386655370.html |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> at least four masked assailants<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/10/29/world/africa/29reuters-kenya-security-looting.html|title=Kenya Says Some Soldiers Looted During Nairobi Mall Attack|date=29 October 2013| work=The New York Times|access-date=29 October 2013| agency=Reuters}}</ref> (initially claimed by the government to be between 10 and 15)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24216327 |title= Nairobi attack: Kenya forces comb Westgate site |publisher=BBC | date=24 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/kenya-mall-shooting-kills-at-least-22-1.1863137|title=Canadians die in Kenya massacre claimed by al-Qaeda-linked group|date=21 September 2013| publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=25 September 2013 | agency=Associated Press}}</ref> jumped out of a silver Mitsubishi Lancer on Mwanzi Road, near the front entrance of the ], the most ] mall in ],<ref name="wp" /> in its ] district. They threw three grenades, one hit a nearby coffee shop, while two hit a security booth nearby. The four militants split into pairs. One pair made for the main pedestrian entrance, while the other continued along the front of the building toward the vehicle entrance. Two of the gunman made it up to the upstairs parking lot, where a children’s cooking competition was being held. They approached and threw grenades and opened fire indiscriminately. One of the militants said in English: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. We’ve come to kill you Christians and Kenyans for what you are doing in Somalia."<ref>{{Cite web |last=McConnell |first=Tristan |date=13 June 2024 |title='Close Your Eyes and Pretend to Be Dead' |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/09/20/nairobi-kenya-westgate-mall-attack-al-shabab/ |access-date=13 June 2024 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref> One of the attackers yelled "we are al-Shabab".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 July 2020 |title=Westgate gunman shouted 'We are al Shabaab': trial witness |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/westgate-gunman-shouted-we-are-al-shabaab-trial-witness-938880 |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref> | |||
===Victims=== | |||
At least 68 people have died, according to the Kenyan Red Cross,<ref name=20130922abcnews/> and 175 wounded.<ref name="CNN Kenya Standoff"/> Eyewitnesses were reported to have seen 50 bodies in the mall.<ref name="ibtimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/507858/20130921/westgate-mall-nairobi-kenya-siege-dead.htm |title=Nairobi Westgate Mall Siege: Up to 100 Feared Dead and Injured in Battle with Islamic Gunman |work=International Business Times |accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> In addition, 36 people were taken hostage<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/kenya-mall-gunbattle/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |title=At least 30 killed in Nairobi mall attack; one of suspects dead |publisher=CNN |date=17 September 2013 |accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> at the supermarket and a jewellery store;<ref name="ibtimes"/> other eyewitnesses also said that they had seen dozens wounded.<ref name="wp"/> An unnamed local hospital reported that it was overwhelmed with the number of wounded being brought in and that it had consequently diverted victims to a second facility.<ref name="usatoday"/> ] ] wrote on Twitter that 293 people had received treatment at three hospitals in the area and that they "are appealing for more blood." The National Disaster Operation Centre said that the wounded ranged in age from two to 78 as it urged people to "remember them in your prayers."<ref name="ccn2">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/kenya-mall-gunbattle/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|title=39 killed and more carnage feared as Kenya mall attackers face off|publisher=CNN|date=21 September 2013|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> The ] reported that four U.S. citizens were injured in the attack.<ref>{{cite web|title=State Dept: 4 US citizens injured in Kenya attack|url=http://news.yahoo.com/state-dept-4-us-citizens-injured-kenya-attack-233345858--politics.html|publisher=Yahoo News|accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/09/21/attack-on-nairobi-mall-kills-10-people/ |title=Hostages still trapped in Kenya mall after attack by Somali-based militants |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=1 October 2006 |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> Al-Shabaab claimed to have killed over 100 Kenyans.<ref name="HSM"/><ref name="aljaz3"/><ref name="thestar1">{{cite web|title=Kenya mall: 2 Canadians among dozens killed in Nairobi attack|date=21 September 2013|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/09/21/2_canadians_confirmed_dead_in_nairobi_attack.html|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
The two other gunmen had been shooting at shoppers from the main entrance. One of the gunmen, Abu Baara al-Sudani (later identified as ]), entered the Urban Burgers restaurant and fired at the patrons, mostly foreign tourists and expats, killing three and injuring numerous others. Dhuhulow had made a phone call to his uncle in Egypt, Abdi Mohammed Dhuhulow, where he claimed responsibility for the ongoing assault. Dhuhulow reportedly told his uncle to watch BBC and Al Jazeera, stating, "I am responsible for that. Say bye to the family." Earlier in the attack, Dhuhulow had been shot in the leg by Constable Ali Miraji, who had initially mistaken the attackers for General Service Unit (GSU) officers. CCTV footage from inside the mall showed Dhuhulow limping with a blood-soaked bandage around his left knee. The attackers had discarded their cell phone numbers two days prior to the siege, but two of their new numbers were traced to a location in Eastleigh and later to Westgate, where they arrived shortly before the attack began.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2020 |title=How the terrorists left Eastleigh for Westgate |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/how-the-terrorists-left-eastleigh-for-westgate-3211286#google_vignette |access-date=15 September 2024 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref> By 1:15 p.m, all four gunmen regrouped together in a supermarket. The militants let an expatriate woman and her two children leave the store, along with an injured Kenyan teenage girl. Shortly after, the militants got into their first major confrontation with armed police, which would continue on throughout the day.<ref name="aljazmon">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/09/2013923184818675146.html |title=Battle for control of Nairobi mall rages on | date=23 September 2013| publisher=Al Jazeera | access-date=23 September 2013}}</ref> Cameras in the mall revealed the gunmen carried ]s and wore civilian clothing. Police surrounded the area and urged residents to stay away. A report indicated that about 80 people were trapped in the basement, but police said that they had escorted some shoppers to safety and were trying to capture the gunmen.<ref name="aljaz" /> | |||
;Notable and foreign deaths | |||
*Three British citizens<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24195825</ref> | |||
All four gunmen ended up inside a storeroom at the ] supermarket, where they would remain for the rest of the siege. Kenyan security forces began their operation at 4:00 p.m., almost four hours after the beginning of the attack. Most of the victims were killed in the first hour.<ref name="usatoday" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/kenya-forces-deployed-at-nairobi-shopping-mall-after-gunfire |title=Kenya forces deployed at Nairobi shopping mall after gunfire | date=21 September 2013| work=The Malay Mail |access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="abc" /> Gunmen were seen on CCTV talking on mobile phones and bowing down in Islamic prayer between their attacks.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 October 2013 |title=Charred bodies from Kenya mall 'highly likely' to be gunmen: lawmaker |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-attack-idUSBRE99H0CW20131018 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Faith Karimi |author2=Lillian Leposo |author3=Nima Elbagir |title=Kenya mall attackers talked on cell phone, prayed between shootings |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/17/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack-footage/index.html |access-date=23 August 2016 |publisher=CNN.com}}</ref> | |||
*Two French citizens<ref name="aljaz3"/> | |||
*Two Canadians, one of whom was the liaison officer Anne-Marie Desloges with the ]<ref name="CAN">{{cite web|title= | |||
Rob Van Dijk, an employee of the Dutch embassy, said that while he was eating at a restaurant the attack started with grenades and was followed by gunfire as patrons screamed and dropped to the ground. Other witnesses said the attack began at the outdoor seating area of Artcaffe at the front of the mall. An Artcaffe employee, Patrick Kuria, said: "We started by hearing gunshots downstairs and outside. Later we heard them come inside. We took cover. Then we saw two gunmen wearing black turbans. I saw them shoot." Some of the casualties were at the entrance to the mall after the assailants moved outside and a stand-off then commenced with police. Ambulances were present at the mall as rescuers started moving emerging victims. Reports indicated children were among the victims, and patrons that were carrying small children were among those trapped. Mall security guards used shopping carts to ferry out wounded children.<ref name=usatoday>{{cite news| author1=Petrecca, Laura| author2=Bhatti, Jabeen (Associated Press)|title=39 die in Kenya mall siege; hostages still held| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/21/witness-kenya-mall-attackers-target-non-muslims/2846319/|newspaper=USA Today|date=21 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
Kenya mall attack: Ottawa victim from family of diplomats|date=21 September 2013|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/kenya-mall-attack-ottawa-victim-from-family-of-diplomats-1.1863717|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
*Ghanaian poet ]<ref name=20130922abcnews/> | |||
] footage showed dozens of people escaping from a back entrance. Twenty people were rescued from a toy shop on the upper floor.<ref name="brit"/> As the Kenyan army troops arrived, they used ] to try to smoke out the attackers from the cinema complex. Vehicles riddled with bullet holes were left abandoned in front of the mall. Kimaiyo said: "Our officers are on the ground carrying out an evacuation of those inside as they search for the attackers who are said to be inside."<ref name="brit"/> A police officer indicated that there were three bodies there while he pointed to a pool of blood by a children's shoe shop. He then pointed to a hamburger bar where music still played and indicated more bodies were found there.<ref name="chicago">{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-kenya-mall-attack-20130921,0,4570194.story |title=Dozens killed in Nairobi mall attack |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=21 September 2013 |agency=Reuters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922055838/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-kenya-mall-attack-20130921,0,4570194.story |archive-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
*A Chinese woman<ref name=20130922abcnews>http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/kenya-minister-59-killed-mall-attack-20332894</ref> | |||
*The South Korean women Kang Moon-hee, who lived in the UK with his british husband, who was injured by gunshots.<ref></ref> | |||
The attackers had told ]s to leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted. Others were asked to name ] of the Islamic prophet ] to distinguish Muslims from non-Muslims.<ref>{{cite news |last=Salek |first=Sebastian |date=22 September 2013 |title=Nairobi attack: Hostages remain trapped inside shopping centre as Al-Shabaab claim responsibility for deadly assault |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nairobi-attack-hostages-remain-trapped-inside-shopping-centre-as-alshabaab-claim-responsibility-for-deadly-assault-8831413.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London}}</ref> They also distinguished Muslims from non-Muslims by asking others to recite the '']''.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 September 2013 |title=Explosions inside mall as stand-off nears end |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11129542 |access-date=25 September 2013 |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> To Associated Press, al-Shabaab called it "a meticulous vetting process ... to separate the Muslims from the ]".<ref>Associated Press (26 September 2013). . ''Washington Post''.</ref> At least two people were killed for incorrectly stating the Shahada. | |||
*A Dutch woman and her Australian husband<ref>http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/21911148/__NL_vrouw_omgekomen_in_Nairobi__.html</ref> | |||
*A Peruvian physician and ] Childdoctorr Juan Jesús Ortiz<ref>{{cite web|title=One of the victims of the terrorist attack was Peruvian doctor Juan Jesús Ortiz, former deputy head of the Kenyan branch of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)|url=http://rt.com/news/kenya-mall-attack-nairobi-204/|publisher=RT|language=English|accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
=== Friendly fire incident === | |||
*A South African<ref>{{cite web|title=Update: SA businessman dead in Kenya mall attack|url=http://www.enca.com/south-africa/sa-woman-confirmed-dead-kenya-attack-high-commissioner|publisher=ENCA|accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
At around 4:00 PM, the Recce Company, a specialised unit of Kenya’s General Service Unit (GSU), arrived on-site. The group entered through the rooftop car park, while Kenya Defense Force soldiers simultaneously entered from the ground floor. Unfortunately, the two groups were not in communication with each other. This lack of coordination led to a tragic incident on the first floor, where the Recce Squad and the soldiers mistakenly engaged in a shootout. The commander of the Recce Squad, Martin Munene, was killed, and two officers were injured. In the aftermath, the Recce Squad members withdrew from the operation, followed by the withdrawal of the army, leaving no significant Kenyan presence in the mall for several hours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WAWERU |first=KIUNDU |title=Botch Kenya Defence Forces Westgate Mall operation? |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000100084/botch-kenya-defence-forces-westgate-mall-operation |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Greste |first=Peter |title=Kenya's shambolic response to Westgate siege |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2013/11/15/kenyas-shambolic-response-to-westgate-siege |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mutiga |first=Murithi |date=3 November 2013 |title=Westgate mall attack: how Kenya's vibrant media exposed the army's botched response |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/03/terrorism-westgate-mall-press-freedom |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zvon2eualE |title=THE INSIDE STORY; Wolves at Westgate |date=20 May 2014 |last=KTN News Kenya |access-date=11 July 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 July 2020 |title=GSU officer killed at Westgate was preparing to get married: Father |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/gsu-officer-killed-at-westgate-was-preparing-to-get-married-father-1026020 |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref> | |||
*Radio Africa Group personality ]<ref>http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-09-22/local-radio-dj-reported-killed-among-kenya-mall-siege/</ref> | |||
*The nephew of ], Mbugua Mwangi, and his girlfriend, Rosemary Wahito<ref>{{cite web|title=Nairobi shopping mall attack: Nephew of Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta among the dead|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/22/nairobi-shopping-mall-attack-nephew-of-kenyan-president-uhuru-kenyatta-among-the-dead-4078891/|publisher=]|accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
==Rescue efforts== | |||
*The Indians Paramshu Jain, Son of ] branch manager ] and M/s. Plethico Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Country Manager Sridhar Natarajan.<ref name="india">{{cite web|title=2 Indians among 59 feared dead in Westgate Center Shootings|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Africa/PM-Manmohan-Singh-condemns-Nairobi-terror-attack/Article1-1125782.aspx|accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
], ] chief photographer for ], recorded the first few hours of the attacks in which he described extremely distressed people including children, women and men bleeding from the impact of shrapnel and gunshots.<ref name="Twtnmm">{{cite news|last=Tomasevic |first=Goran |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/photographers-blog/2013/09/23/witnessing-the-nairobi-mall-massacre/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924202835/http://blogs.reuters.com/photographers-blog/2013/09/23/witnessing-the-nairobi-mall-massacre/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 September 2013 |title=Witnessing the Nairobi mall massacre | Photographers Blog |publisher=Blogs.reuters.com |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> Abdul Yusuf Haji, son of former Defence Minister of Kenya ], on receiving text messages from his brother Noordin Yusuf Haji, an undercover anti-terrorism agent who was stuck inside the shopping center, travelled to the mall with his handgun and entered with other civilian rescuers. He helped rescue a mother and her three daughters, providing cover with other armed rescuers. Tomasevic's photos of the rescue efforts by civilians were beamed all around the world.<ref name="Twtnmm"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Laing|first=Aislinn|title=Revealed: American family rescued by hero of attack on Nairobi's Westgate mall|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/kenya/10337908/Revealed-American-family-rescued-by-hero-of-attack-on-Nairobis-Westgate-mall.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=26 September 2013|location=London,UK}}</ref> | |||
Several other armed and unarmed civilians also participated in various rescues. An ] man, Taff Groves, a former member of the ], Lorcan Byrne, an off duty member of Diplomatic Protective Services Tactical Response Unit (DPS-TRU), Peter Bach and former British Armed Forces Major ] helped to save lives in the immediate aftermath of the attack. They were working as security consultants and they raced to the Westgate mall when the militants went on the rampage. Under fire, they organised the rescue of terrified shoppers.<ref name="ExSas">{{cite news|last=Howden|first=Daniel|title=Nairobi mall attack: how an ex-SAS man and a former Irish soldier helped to save lives|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/02/westgate-mall-attacks-kenya|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2 November 2013|location=Manchester, UK}}</ref> There are several similarities between this rescue by civilians and members of elite forces and the rescue at ]. Troulan was subsequently awarded the ], Britain's highest award for civilian gallantry.<ref></ref> | |||
By nightfall, the mall remained sealed off to the public while security services searched floor by floor for the gunmen, believed to still be inside with the hostages.<ref name="abc">{{cite news | author1=Gettleman, Jeffrey | author2=Kulish, Nicholas | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/nairobi-mall-shooting.html |title=Gunmen Kill Dozens in Terror Attack at Kenyan Mall |work=The New York Times |date=21 September 2013|display-authors=etal}}</ref> People continued to trickle out from hiding places.<ref name="abc2">{{cite news|author=Jason Straziuso|url=http://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/gunmen-open-fire-nairobis-upscale-mall-20326850|title=Kenya Minister Says 59 Killed in Mall Attack|date=21 September 2013|publisher=ABC News|access-date=21 September 2013|agency=Associated Press}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Kenyan Red Cross said on 24 September that 63 people were still missing. In Nairobi, daily business returned to normal; appeals replenished ]s, and over US$650,000 was raised to support the affected families.<ref name="end1">{{cite news |author=Stefan Smith and Peter Martell |date=25 September 2013 |title=Kenyan president announces end to mall bloodbath |url=https://news.yahoo.com/kenya-president-says-mall-siege-over-losses-immense-165332742.html |access-date=25 September 2013 |publisher=Yahoo! News |agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref>] | |||
===Israeli involvement=== | |||
At the time of the attacks, the mall was owned by Israelis, and at least four restaurants in the mall were owned/operated by Israelis, according to Israeli sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/3-israelis-escape-as-nairobi-shopping-center-attack-continues/2013/09/22/|title=3 Israelis Escape as Nairobi Shopping Center Attack Continues|first=Yori|last=Yanover|date=22 September 2013|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref> The '']'' stated that Kenya and Israel had a secret security pact.<ref>. ''International Business Times''. (22 September 2013).</ref> Israeli military advisers were reported to have participated in the ] against the hostage takers and to have joined in the fighting,<ref>. CBS News (22 September 2013).</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927233547/http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-136831/israeli-commandos-join-westgate-rescue |date=27 September 2013 }}. ''The Star''.</ref><ref>. Reuters (22 September 2013).</ref> although the ] refused to confirm or deny the presence of its forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jta.org/2013/09/22/news-opinion/world/report-israeli-advisors-helping-kenyan-authorities-in-nairobi-mall-standoff |title=Report: Israeli agents backing Kenyan troops in bid to end Nairobi mall siege |publisher=Jta.org |date=24 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
===Looting=== | |||
In the days following the initial attack, Kenyan soldiers arrived at the scene to rescue people inside, and find the gunmen. Shortly after entering, however, soldiers were seen on camera looting almost every store in the mall while still under besiegement.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dixon|first=Robyn|title=Video shows Kenyan soldiers looting besieged mall|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-kenya-mall-siege-looting-20131003,0,463349.story|access-date=6 October 2013|newspaper=latimes.com|date=3 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Pflanz|first=Mike|title=Nairobi mall attack: new CCTV footage shows soldiers 'looting from cash registers'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/kenya/10353759/Nairobi-mall-attack-new-CCTV-footage-shows-soldiers-looting-from-cash-registers.html|access-date=6 October 2013|newspaper=telegraph.co.uk|date=3 October 2013|location=London}}</ref> Two soldiers were arrested and jailed for looting mobile phones and several others were questioned.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pflanz|first=Mike|title=Kenyan army admits that soldiers looted Westgate during siege|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/kenya/10411403/Kenyan-army-admits-that-soldiers-looted-Westgate-mall-during-siege.html|access-date=29 October 2013|location=London}}</ref> | |||
== Casualties == | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:10px" | |||
!Nationality | |||
!Deaths | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|Kenya}} | |||
|48 | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|United Kingdom}} | |||
|4<ref name="aus">{{cite news |date=26 September 2013 |title=BBC News – Nairobi attack: British death toll lower than thought |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24287270 |access-date=28 September 2013 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|India}} | |||
|3<ref name="bbcvictims2">{{cite news |date=23 September 2013 |title=Nairobi Westgate attack: The victims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24195845 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|Canada}} | |||
|2<ref name="canada1" /> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|France}} | |||
|2<ref name="bbcvictims2" /> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|Australia}} | |||
|1<ref name="autogenerated3" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Tony |author2=Levy, Megan |author3=Butt, Craig |author4=Darby, Andrew |date=23 September 2013 |title=Kenya shopping centre attack: Ross Langdon identified as Aussie killed in Nairobi |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/kenya-shopping-centre-attack-ross-langdon-identified-as-aussie-killed-in-nairobi-20130923-2u9dq.html |access-date=25 September 2013 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|China}} | |||
|1<ref name="20130922abcnews2">{{cite news |date=22 September 2013 |title=Kenyan Forces Say They Rescued 'Most' Hostages |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/kenya-minister-59-killed-mall-attack-20332894 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|Ghana}} | |||
|1<ref name="bbcvictims2" /> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|Netherlands}} | |||
|1<ref>{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Doyle |date=23 September 2013 |title=Pregnant Harvard grad killed in Kenyan terror attacks just two weeks from giving birth |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pregnant-harvard-grad-architect-boyfriend-killed-kenya-attacks-article-1.1464656 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|Peru}} | |||
|1<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 September 2013 |title=Quién era el peruano que mató al Shabab en Kenia |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2013/09/130924_kenia_ataque_peruano_mes |work=BBC |language=es}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|South Africa}} | |||
|1<ref>{{cite news |last=Legg |first=Kieran |date=23 September 2013 |title=Cape man killed in Nairobi mall siege |url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/cape-man-killed-in-nairobi-mall-siege-1.1581267 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|South Korea}} | |||
|1<ref>{{cite web |title=At least 68 dead in Nairobi mall attack |url=http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=151470 |publisher=Arirang.co.kr}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|{{flagu|Trinidad and Tobago}} | |||
|1<ref name="tt2">{{cite news |date=23 September 2013 |title=PM mourns death of 'bright son' of T&T |url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/PM-mourns-death-of-bright-son-of-TT-224877182.html |work=]}}</ref> | |||
|} | |||
During the siege and for days afterwards, the toll of casualties remained unclear. Eyewitnesses were reported to have seen 50 bodies in the mall.<ref name="ibtimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/507858/20130921/westgate-mall-nairobi-kenya-siege-dead.htm |title=Nairobi Westgate Mall Siege: Up to 100 Feared Dead and Injured in Battle with Islamic Gunman |work=International Business Times |date=21 September 2013 |access-date=21 September 2013}}</ref> In addition, at first there were reported hostages taken by attackers, but later it became apparent no hostages were ever held,<ref name=straziuso>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/nypd-report-kenya-attack-isn-39-t-us-151711825.html|title=NYPD report on Kenya attack isn't US gov't view|author=Jason Straziuso|publisher=Associated Press, Yahoo News|date=13 December 2013|access-date=18 March 2014}}</ref> other eyewitnesses also said that they had seen dozens wounded.<ref name="wp"/> An unnamed local hospital reported that it was overwhelmed with the number of wounded being brought in and that it had consequently diverted victims to a second facility.<ref name="usatoday"/> At least 71 people were killed, including four terrorists.<ref name=straziuso /> In addition to numerous Kenyans who were killed, at least 19 foreigners of different nationalities also died.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/al-shabab-foreigners-in-kenya-mall-were-legitimate-target-let-muslims-leave-after-vetting/2013/09/26/999debf6-2662-11e3-9372-92606241ae9c_story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130928013225/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/al-shabab-foreigners-in-kenya-mall-were-legitimate-target-let-muslims-leave-after-vetting/2013/09/26/999debf6-2662-11e3-9372-92606241ae9c_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2013 |title=Al-Shabab: foreigners in Kenya mall were "legitimate target;" let Muslims leave after vetting |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> The National Disaster Operation Centre said that the wounded ranged in age from 2 to 78.<ref name="ccn2">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/kenya-mall-gunbattle/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|title=39 killed and more carnage feared as Kenya mall attackers face off|publisher=CNN|date=21 September 2013|access-date=21 September 2013}}</ref> Sources said 175 people were wounded,<ref name="CNN Kenya Standoff">{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/23/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 | title=Kenya mall attack | publisher=CNN | date=22 September 2013 | access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> including 11 soldiers.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928001714/http://www.daily-prime.com/2013/09/three-terrorists-down-11-kdf-soldiers.html |date=28 September 2013 }}. ''Daily Prime''</ref> There are also claims of torture carried out by the terrorists. Notable victims included Kenyan journalist ], President Uhuru Kenyatta's nephew Mbugua Mwangi and his fiancée Rosemary Wahito,<ref>{{cite web|author=Peter Walker and Guy Alexander |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/22/nairobi-attack-kenya-president-nephew |title=Nairobi shopping mall attack: Kenyan president's nephew among the dead | World news |work=The Guardian |date=22 September 2013 |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> Ghanaian poet and diplomat ]<ref>{{cite news|last=Vincent|first=Alice|title=Kofi Awoonor, Ghanaian poet, killed in Westgate Attack|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/kenya/10326144/Kofi-Awoonor-Ghanaian-poet-killed-in-Westgate-Attack.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=22 September 2013|location=London}}</ref> and Canadian diplomat Annemarie Desloges.<ref name="canada1">{{cite news|last=Mehta|first=Diana|title=Canada offers support to Kenya after mall attack, Canadians among victims|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/857033/canada-offers-support-to-kenya-after-mall-attack-canadians-among-victims/|access-date=23 September 2013|agency=The Canadian Press|date=22 September 2013}}</ref> Kenyan interior minister ] said Israelis were not targeted. "This time, the story is not about Israel. The minister is saying that this is an internal Kenyan issue. His security forces tell him that this terror organisation was not targeting Israelis."<ref>{{cite news|title=Upscale mall becomes a war zone in Kenya terror attack|url=http://www.inlandnewstoday.com/story.php?s=30456|access-date=25 September 2013|publisher=inlandnewstoday.com|date=24 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
Most of the victims were from Kenya’s business and political elite, as well as expatriates and the diplomatic community.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Economist {{!}} Independent journalism |url=https://www.economist.com/ |access-date=10 July 2024 |newspaper=The Economist |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==Investigation== | ==Investigation== | ||
British police officers |
British police officers based in Kenya arrived on the scene to help Kenyan counter-terrorism officials, and Kenyan officials began an investigation. Security was also tightened in public places across Kenya.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/story/2013-09-21/gunmen-open-fire-in-kenya-mall-nairobi|title='25 killed' in Kenya mall siege|publisher=Itv.com|access-date=21 September 2013}}</ref> Ten arrests were reported on 24 September.<ref name="aljaztue"/> In announcing the end of operations, Kenyatta said "forensic investigations are underway to establish the nationalities of all those involved" and suggested that a British woman and two or three Americans "may have been involved in the attack" but that could not be confirmed at the time. ], General ], said the attackers were from "different countries."<ref name="end1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/world/kenyan-president-announces-end-to-mall-bloodbath/article20664775.ece1|title=Kenyan president announces end to mall bloodbath|last=PTI|website=@businessline|date=25 September 2013 |language=en|access-date=21 December 2019}}</ref> | ||
The ] (NIS) was strongly criticised for failing to warn of the attack after '']'' reported that two unnamed NIS officers had told it that the NIS had passed warnings about an attack to the police, and that a pregnant woman had been warned by her brother, an NIS officer, not to visit the Westgate mall that Saturday "because she would not be able to run with her bulging tummy".<ref>'']'', 26 September 2013, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926222856/http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-137366/nis-gave-advance-westgate-warning |date=26 September 2013 }}</ref> '']'' reported that Kenya had prior intelligence of an attack in Nairobi, and that there were reports of NIS agents being at Westgate a few hours before the attack.<ref>], '']'', 28 September 2013, </ref> From its start, the investigation was hampered by a wide range of conflicting eyewitness testimony about the number of attackers, the gunmen's true identities, and even their ultimate fates.<ref name=Nation092813>{{Cite news |title=Hard questions emerge over handling of terror attack |author=Mukinda, Fred |newspaper=] |date=28 September 2013 |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Hard-questions-emerge-over-handling-of-terror-attack/-/1056/2011514/-/4wf74hz/-/index.html |access-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> Over sixty persons were listed by the ] as ], though police asserted that they were all among the dead; in news reports, some have been described as additional terrorists who escaped alive, though the Kenyan government firmly denies this.<ref name=Nation092813/> | |||
It was reported on 10 October that the police, army, and intelligence services had been engaging in "blame games" after the attack. Some international forensic teams had reportedly returned home, frustrated that they were not allowed full access to the mall.<ref name="Star 10 Oct"/> | |||
A separate investigation of the attack was conducted by the New York Police Department (NYPD). The report's findings, released in December 2013, suggested that the attack had been carried out by only four ] terrorists, all of whom most likely escaped the mall alive.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kevin Yorke |title=Analysis of Al-Shabaab's Attack at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/190795929/NYPD-Westgate-Report#dow |publisher=New York Police Department}}</ref> However, an investigation conducted between Kenyan and US State Department officials suggested that while there were only four gunmen who carried out the attack, they were all likely killed during the standoff.<ref name="straziuso" /> Lt. Kevin Yorke of the NYPD's Intelligence Division also acknowledged that the NYPD investigation, which did not have representatives among the group of western investigators assisting Kenya with the probe,<ref name="straziuso" /> was "based solely on open-source information we gathered and is unclassified."<ref name="straziuso" /> | |||
==Perpetrators== | ==Perpetrators== | ||
On 5 October 2015, the Kenyan government released the ] believed to have been used by the four attackers. The shooters were named as Abu Baara al-Sudani, Omar Abdul Rahim Nabhan, Khattab al-Kene, and Umayr al-Mogadish.<ref name="Auftaslltkwmmisr">{{cite news |date=6 October 2013 |title=US forces target Al Shabaab leader linked to Kenya Westgate mall massacre in Somalia raid |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-06/chilling-cctv-footage-shows-westgate-mall-attackers/5001112 |access-date=18 October 2013 |newspaper=ABC News}}</ref> The youngest attacker was reportedly 19 and the oldest was 23.<ref name=":0" /> Police recovered the attacker's body under rubble and performed DNA analysis to identify the assailants, who died of smoke inhalation according to autopsy results.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Muiruri |first=Stephen |date=1 December 2020 |title=Painstaking search for clues leads resolute detectives to Westgate Mall butchers |url=https://www.dci.go.ke/sites/default/files/2023-08/THE%20DCI%20Magazine%202nd%20Edition%20December%202020.pdf#page=21 |journal=The DCI |pages=21–23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2020 |title=Kenyan lawyer says client abducted after court acquittal |url=https://apnews.com/article/africa-kenya-acquittals-b30d560429ced0cfb9646b6ef988b048 |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Nairobi police chief ] called the incident a "terrorist" attack and added that there were likely no more than 10 perpetrators involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/world-news/gunmen-throw-grenades-at-mall-in-nairobi-kenya/story-fndir2ev-1226724454313#ixzz2fXAaYfFE|title=Gunmen throw grenades at mall in Nairobi, Kenya|publisher=News.com.au|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
Norway's intelligence agency, the ], later announced in early October that it had sent officers to Kenya to investigate reports alleging that a Norwegian citizen of Somali origin, named as ], was also involved in the planning and execution of the attack.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 October 2013 |title=Norwegian suspected of being Kenya mall attacker named |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24569512 |access-date=18 October 2013 |newspaper=BBC news}}</ref> Dhuhulow, who was 23 during the attack, was confirmed to have been the perpetrator and died in the attack in 2015.<ref name="Aften">{{Cite news |date=3 September 2015 |title=PST har ventet på FBI. Nå er konklusjonen i Westgate-saken klar. |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/PST-har-ventet-pa-FBI-Na-er-konklusjonen-i-Westgate-saken-klar-8149381.html |work=Aftenposten |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=18 October 2013 |title=PST mener at norske Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow (23) deltok i Nairobi-terroren |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2013/10/18/nyheter/innenriks/utenriks/westgate/terror/29859537/ |access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref> Having migrated to Norway in 1999, Dhuhulow had previously been under surveillance by PST.<ref name="Aften" /> | |||
An eyewitness said that the attackers had told ]s to leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted. The incident follows warnings from ] in late 2011 that it would carry out attacks in Kenya in retaliation for ] as part of ].<ref name="wp">{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/gunmen-use-grenades-open-fire-at-nairobis-most-upscale-mall/2013/09/21/a9403b3a-22a8-11e3-ad1a-1a919f2ed890_story.html|title=Witness: Kenya mall attackers told Muslims to leave, non-Muslims would be targeted|work=The Washington Post|accessdate=21 | |||
September 2013}}</ref> Others were asked to name ] of the Islamic prophet ] to distinguish Muslims from non-Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|last=Salek|first=Sebastian|title=Nairobi attack: Hostages remain trapped inside shopping centre as al-Shabaab claim responsibility for deadly assault|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nairobi-attack-hostages-remain-trapped-inside-shopping-centre-as-alshabaab-claim-responsibility-for-deadly-assault-8831413.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
In September 2013, the attackers were publicly identified as Hassan Abdi Mohamed alias Dhuhulow (Abu Baara al-Sudani), Ahmed Hassan Abukar (Khattab al-Kene), Mohammed Abdinur Said (Umayr al-Mogadish), and Yahye Osman Ahmed alias Arab (Omar Nabhan; aka Yahya Golis).<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://libraryir.parliament.go.ke/handle/123456789/2058 |title=Report on the Inquiry into the Westgate Terrorist Attack and Other Terrors Attack in Mandera in North Eastern and Kilifi in the Coastal Region |date=5 December 2013 |publisher=National Assembly |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 July 2020 |title=Westgate killers: The face of terror |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/westgate-killers-the-face-of-terror-1026128 |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref> Al-Shabaab denied that any of the names attributed to any of the attackers are genuine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 February 2015 |title=Al Shabab Calls for 'Westgate'-Style Attack in U.S., Canada and U.K. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/al-shabab-calls-westgate-style-attack-u-s-canada-u-n310441 |access-date=13 June 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Sergeant Major Frank Mugungu said he saw four male and one female attackers, all of them black, one Somali, while others might have been Kenyan and of other nationalities.<ref name="abc2"/> Witnesses claimed that they heard Arabic or Somali being spoken.<ref name="brit"/> After several hours, al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.<ref name="aljaz3">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/09/2013921174856564470.html |title=Gunfire as standoff continues in Kenya mall |publisher=Al Jazeera |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> Of 10 attackers reported, eight came from Western countries and one from ].<ref>http://investigativ.welt.de/2013/09/22/dschihad-terror-im-herzen-von-nairobi/</ref> According to Kenya's ], one attacker is reported to have escaped after a witness spotted him mingling with the victims as they were being rescued.<ref>http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2013/09/police-ignored-exposed-westgate-terrorist-survivor/</ref> | |||
The investigation led by the ] (DCI) concluded that Mohammed Abdinur Said was the commander of the attack and had been planning since June 2013.<ref name=":1" /> Before the attack began, the attackers shred their belongings and documents inside of a ] they purchased in September 2013.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 September 2023 |title=How Kenya's security spending, spying changed after Westgate attack |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/how-kenya-s-security-spending-spying-changed-after-westgate-4376312 |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=The EastAfrican |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=26 November 2020 |title=Vital clues in car that was to burn outside Westgate Mall |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/vital-clues-car-burn-westgate-mall-3210440 |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref> They attempted to light the car on fire inside of the mall's parking lot but the fire extinguished itself shortly after, failing to destroy the attackers belongings.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> | |||
Al-Shabaab's Twitter outlet posted messages, amongst them some read: "The attacks are just retribution for the lives of innocent Muslims shelled by Kenyan jets in Lower Jubba and in refugee camps;" "What Kenyans are witnessing at #Westgate is retributive justice for crimes committed by their military, albeit largely miniscule in nature;" "Since our last contact, the Mujahideen inside the mall confirmed to @HSM_Press that they killed over 100 Kenyan kuffar & battle is ongoing;" "For long we have waged war against the Kenyans in our land, now it’s time to shift the battleground and take the war to their land;" "The attack at #WestgateMall is just a very tiny fraction of what Muslims in Somalia experience at the hands of Kenyan invaders;" "The Kenyan government, however, turned a deaf ear to our repeated warnings and continued to massacre innocent Muslims in Somalia;"<ref name="HSM"/> "Kenyan government shall be held responsible for any loss of life as a result of such an imprudent move. The call is yours!" and "Kenyan forces who’ve just attempted a roof landing must know that they are jeopardising the lives of hostages."<ref name="aljaz3"/> Twitter suspended their account before the attack had ended.<ref name="HSM">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/HSM_Press |title=Twitter / Account Suspended |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref>{{dead link|date=September 2013}} | |||
Insurance registration found inside of the attackers car led the DCI to two co-conspirators, Abdikadir Mohamed and Abdullahi Dugon Subow, who fled Kenya for Somalia.<ref name=":1" /> One of the reconstructed documents was a receipt to one of the gunmen, Mohammed Abdinur Said.<ref name=":1" /> Data obtained for the five SIM cards found inside of the car led investigators to ] in Uganda which allowed the NCI to identify the gunmen and two co-conspirators, Hussein Hassan Mustafa and Mohammed Ahmed Abdi.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> | |||
Kenyan authorities arrested dozens of people in the aftermath of the attack, but had not announced any suspects directly related to the siege. On 4 November 2013, four individuals reported to be Somali nationals were charged by a Kenyan court in relation to the attack.<ref name="Fscwawma">{{cite news |date=4 November 2013 |title=4 Somalis Charged With Aiding Westgate Mall Attack |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/somalis-charged-aiding-westgate-mall-attack-20774005 |access-date=4 November 2013 |newspaper=AFP}}</ref> Identified as Mohammed Ahmed Abdi, Liban Abdullah, Adnan Ibrahim and Hussein Hassan, they were accused of supporting terrorist elements in Kenya, harboring the gunmen in their homes, illicitly registering as a Kenyan citizen, and obtaining false identification documents.<ref name="Fscwawma" /><ref name="Wsfcona">{{cite news |date=4 November 2013 |title=Westgate siege: Four charged over Nairobi attack |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24804892 |access-date=4 November 2013 |newspaper=BBC}}</ref> However, none of the men were accused of being the shooters involved in the siege, the latter of whom Kenyan military officials asserted had all died. All four of the accused men pleaded not guilty to the allegations, with no attorney representing them.<ref name="Wsfcona" /> The court ordered the men to be detained until a hearing in a week's time.<ref name="Fscwawma" /> | |||
On 7 October 2020, a Kenyan court sentenced three defendants accused of helping Islamic militants in 2013 in preparation for an attack on Nairobi’s shopping mall. More than 140 witnesses were heard in the case before the verdict was handed down. In the verdict, Nairobi Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi ruled that Hussein Hassan Mustafa and Mohammed Ahmed Abdi found guilty of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. In the case of the third defendant, there was not enough evidence to prove the conspiracy charge, so he was acquitted. Earlier, in January 2019, an accused had also been acquitted in the same case for lack of evidence. However, after proving the prosecution's charge, Otsieno Namwaya, a senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, claimed that neither the attackers nor the masterminds had been brought to justice now, the convicts were only bystanders in the case.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2020 |title=Westgate: Two found guilty over Kenya shopping mall attack |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54416418 |access-date=4 March 2021 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Feleke |first=Bethlehem |date=7 October 2020 |title=Kenyan court finds two men guilty over Westgate shopping mall attack |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/07/world/africa/westgate-mall-attack-verdict-intl/index.html |access-date=4 March 2021 |website=CNN |agency=Reuters}}</ref> | |||
== Responsibility == | |||
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility shortly after the attack began. Before it was banned, a Twitter account claiming to represent al-Shabaab posted a series of messages alleging that the attacks were "just retribution" for crimes committed by Kenya's military.<ref name="aljaz3">{{cite web |date=21 September 2013 |title=Gunfire as standoff continues in Kenya mall |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/09/2013921174856564470.html |access-date=22 September 2013 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> "For long we have waged war against the Kenyans in our land, now it's time to shift the battleground and take the war to their land", said one post.<ref>. PBS, 24 September 2013</ref> "The attack at #WestgateMall is just a very tiny fraction of what Muslims in Somalia experience at the hands of Kenyan invaders," said another. They warned the Kenyan government that any attempt by Kenyan forces to attempt a roof landing would jeopardise the lives of hostages. Twitter suspended the account before the attack had ended.<ref name="HSM">{{cite news |date=21 September 2013 |title=Shebab Twitter account suspended after Kenya mall attack claims |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/shebab-twitter-account-suspended-after-kenya-mall-attack-claims/ |publisher=Fox News Channel}}</ref> | |||
The group official spokesman, ], said: "If you want Kenya in peace, it will not happen as long as your boys are in ."<ref name="yahoo">{{cite news |last=Vincenot |first=Aymeric |date=22 September 2013 |title=Kenya forces battle to end deadly mall siege |url=https://news.yahoo.com/somalias-shebab-claims-responsibility-nairobi-mall-attack-182747786.html |publisher=Yahoo! |agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> Another Al-Shabaab spokesman, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Abu Musab, the official military spokesperson for Al-Shabaab, told ] that the attack was in retaliation for Kenyan troops entering Somalia and that the timing was deliberately chosen to be a surprise attack.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hamza Mohamed |title=Q&A: Al-Shabab defends Nairobi attack |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/09/2013923628350977.html |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> al-Shabaab repeated their demands for Kenya's withdrawal from Somalia. On the day the operation ended, Rage threatened further "black days" unless Kenya withdrew its troops from Somalia and said that the siege was just "a taste of what we will do."<ref name="end1" /><ref>{{cite web |author=Hamza Mohamed |title=Somalia intervention cited for mall assault |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/09/201392494741798865.html |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> | |||
Foreign Minister ] said that Al-Shabaab was not acting alone and the assault was part of an international campaign of terror; and that "two or three" US citizens and a Briton were among the attackers. "Al-Shabab are looking for relevance on an international scale – especially after a change of leadership – and is looking to send the message that they are still a force to be reckoned with."<ref name="aljaztue">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/09/201392322303151177.html |title=Kenya forces say mall siege in final stages |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=24 September 2013}}</ref> The suggestion that there had been a British perpetrator in their ranks was strongly rejected by Al-Shabaab.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24205912 |title=Nairobi Westgate attack: Six Britons believed killed |publisher=BBC |date=23 September 2013 |access-date=25 September 2013}}</ref> Kenyan officials later lowered the estimated number of gunmen to four to six militants, when it was previously estimated as ten. | |||
==Reactions== | ==Reactions== | ||
===Domestic=== | ===Domestic=== | ||
The attack has been described as one of the worst acts of ] since the ] in 1998.<ref name=Nation092813/> ] ] said on national television that Kenya had "overcome terrorist attacks before" and vowed to "hunt down the perpetrators wherever they run".<ref name="aljaz3"/> | |||
President Uhuru Kenyatta said on national television that Kenya had "overcome terrorist attacks before" and vowed to "hunt down the perpetrators wherever they run to. In fact, we have fought courageously and defeated them within and outside our borders - we will defeat them again. They shall not get away with their despicable and beastly acts."<ref name="aljaz3"/> The Ministry of Interior released a statement that read: "It is a possibility that it is an attack by terrorists, so we are treating the matter very seriously."<ref name="chicago">{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-kenya-mall-attack-20130921,0,4570194.story|title=Kenya mall attack: At least 25 dead, one gunmen arrested|work=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> Senator ] from ], Nairobi said: "It's too early to know what kind of people these are, but from what we are getting, these are people who speak in the ]. They are people who seem to know what they are doing, are pretty much organised. It's really quite a shocking thing because from what we're getting, they aren't ordinary thugs."<ref name="aljaz">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/09/201392110386655370.html|title=Deadly gunbattle in Nairobi shopping mall|publisher=Al Jazeera|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> The National Disaster Operation Centre wrote on ''Twitter'': "If we are attacked because we are Kenyans, let us respond by remaining Kenyans. Unity and comradeship."<Ref>https://twitter.com/NDOCKenya</reF> | |||
On 10 October 2013, it was reported that President Kenyatta had admitted that the Westgate operation was "bungled", and undertook to carry out a complete investigation. The Kenyan Cabinet was expected to establish a formal commission of inquiry.<ref name="Star 10 Oct">{{cite news|url=http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-138924/westgate-operation-was-bungled-uhuru|title=WESTGATE OPERATION WAS BUNGLED - UHURU|last=Ilado|first=Paul|author2=Kamore Maina|date=10 September 2013|work=The Star|access-date=10 October 2013|archive-date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012152501/http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-138924/westgate-operation-was-bungled-uhuru|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
===International bodies=== | |||
The ]'s ] ] condemned the attacks and reiterated that the AU would continue in its fight against al-Shabaab. She also expressed the AU's solidarity with the government and people of Kenya.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cpauc.au.int/en/content/african-union-strongly-condemns-dastardly-terrorist-attacks-against-innocent-civilians-nairobi|title=The African Union Strongly Condemns the Dastardly Terrorist Attacks against Innocent Civilians in Nairobi|publisher=The African Union Commission|date=21 September 2013|access-date=22 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925031147/http://cpauc.au.int/en/content/african-union-strongly-condemns-dastardly-terrorist-attacks-against-innocent-civilians-nairobi|archive-date=25 September 2013}}</ref> The ] offered its support.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/138781.pdf|title=Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the attack in Nairobi|publisher=European External Action Service|date=22 September 2013|access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> UN Secretary-General ] expressed "alarm" and offered Kenyatta solidarity.<ref name="ccn">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/kenya-mall-world-reaction/ |title=World leaders condemn terror attack at Kenya mall, pledge support |publisher=CNN |date=18 September 2013 |access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> The ] condemned the attack and called on Kenya to note that any response must comply with international human rights law.<ref name="aljaz3"/> | |||
] Secretary-General ] condemned the assault and pledged full support to Kenyan authorities in their investigation, offering to deploy an Incident Response Team consisting of specialised forensic officers, counter-terrorism experts, operational assistants and analysts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News-media-releases/2013/PR113 |title=INTERPOL condemns Nairobi terror 'bloodbath' |publisher=Interpol |date=22 September 2013 |access-date=22 September 2013 |archive-date=26 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926170508/http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News-media-releases/2013/PR113 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Noble, in an interview with ABC, indicated that in the face of large 'soft' targets, governments have a choice: security clearances at entrances or allow the citizenry to carry guns for self-defence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/exclusive-westgate-interpol-chief-ponders-armed-citizenry/story?id=20637341 |title=After Westgate, Interpol Chief Ponders 'Armed Citizenry' |publisher=ABC News |date=21 October 2013 |access-date=26 January 2015 }}</ref> | |||
===States=== | |||
Many countries expressed their condemnation of the attacks and sympathy for those affected, including Argentina,<ref>{{cite web|title=Cancillería condenó ataque en Kenia|date=21 September 2013|url=http://www.rionegro.com.ar/diario/cancilleria-condeno-ataque-en-kenia-1257929-9532-nota.aspx|language=es|access-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926154645/http://www.rionegro.com.ar/diario/cancilleria-condeno-ataque-en-kenia-1257929-9532-nota.aspx|archive-date=26 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Argentina condena el atentado en Kenia|date=21 September 2013|url=http://www.lavoz.com.ar/mundo/argentina-condena-el-atentado-en-kenia|access-date=21 September 2013}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{cite web|title=Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on attack in Nairobi, Kenya|date=21 September 2013|url=http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&featureId=6&pageId=49&id=5677|access-date=21 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925033925/http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&featureId=6&pageId=49&id=5677|archive-date=25 September 2013}}</ref> Chile,<ref>{{cite web|title=Comunicado de prensa|language=es |date=22 September 2013|url=http://www.minrel.gob.cl/comunicado-de-prensa/minrel/2013-09-22/151113.html|access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> China,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/yonhap-news-agency/130922/china-condemns-mall-attack-terrorists-kenya |title=China condemns mall attack by terrorists in Kenya |newspaper=GlobalPost|date=22 September 2013 }}</ref> Colombia,<ref>{{cite web|title=Comunicado de prensa del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, rechazando el ataque terrorista perpetrado en Kenia |language=es |date=22 September 2013|url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/newsroom/news/comunicado-prensa-del-ministerio-relaciones-exteriores-rechazando-ataque-terrorista|access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madote.com/2013/09/eritrea-condemns-terrorist-attack-in.html |title=Eritrea condemns al-Shabab attack in Nairobi mall |publisher=Madote }}</ref> Hungary,<ref>{{cite web|title=A Külügyminisztérium közleménye|language=hu|date=22 September 2013|url=http://www.kormany.hu/hu/kulugyminiszterium/hirek/a-kulugyminiszterium-kozlemenye-20130922|access-date=25 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928055036/http://www.kormany.hu/hu/kulugyminiszterium/hirek/a-kulugyminiszterium-kozlemenye-20130922|archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> India,<ref name="bs">{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/pm-condemns-terror-attack-in-nairobi-113092200624_1.html#.Uj7u-RttkSo.twitter |title=PM condemns terror attack in Nairobi |work=Business Standard |date=23 September 2013|agency=Press Trust of India }}</ref> Iran,<ref>{{cite news|title=Iran Condemns Terrorist Attack in Kenya|url=http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/146593|date=22 September 2013|publisher = Tasnim News}}</ref> Israel,<ref name="abc"/><ref name="autogeneratedil">{{cite web|url=http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/PressRoom/2013/Pages/Pres-Peres-sends-condolences-to-Kenya-22-Sept-2013.aspx |title=Pres Peres sends condolences to Kenya 22 Sept 2013 |publisher=Mfa.gov.il }}</ref> Italy,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kenya: Napolitano, cordoglio per vittime barbaro attacco terroristico|language=it|date=22 September 2013|url=http://www.adnkronos.com/IGN/News/Politica/Kenya-Napolitano-cordoglio-per-vittime-barbaro-attacco-terroristico_32636028454.html}}</ref> Serbia,<ref>{{cite web|script-title=sr:Саучешће МСП Републици Кенији |language=sr|date=22 September 2013|url=http://www.mfa.gov.rs/sr/index.php/pres-servis/saopstenja/11730-2013-09-22-16-04-02}}</ref> Somalia,<ref name="theguardian1">{{cite news|title=Dozens die as Islamic militants attack Kenyan shopping mall|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/21/kenyan-shopping-mall-attack-dead|date=21 September 2013|work=The Guardian}}</ref> Tanzania,<ref name="dailynews1">{{cite news |title=Kenyan mall shooting toll reaches 62 |url=http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/22605-kenyan-mall-shooting-toll-reaches-62 |newspaper=] |date=23 September 2013 |access-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927185000/http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/22605-kenyan-mall-shooting-toll-reaches-62 |archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref> the United States,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/us-says-americans-reported-hurt-nairobi-attack-181300547.html|title=US condemns deadly Kenya mall attack|newspaper=Yahoo News }}</ref> Venezuela,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mppre.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30953:gobierno-bolivariano-condena-acciones-terroristas-en-kenia&catid=3:comunicados&Itemid=108|title=Bolivarian Government condemns terrorist acts in Kenya | |||
|access-date=23 September 2013|date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227214055/http://www.mppre.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30953:gobierno-bolivariano-condena-acciones-terroristas-en-kenia&catid=3:comunicados&Itemid=108|archive-date=27 February 2014|language=es}}</ref> and Trinidad and Tobago.<ref name="tt2"/> Some restated their condemnation during the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gadebate.un.org/ |title=General Assembly OF THE UNITED NATIONS | General Debate of the 68th Session |publisher=Gadebate.un.org |access-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927110609/http://gadebate.un.org/ |archive-date=27 September 2012 }}</ref> | |||
Somali President ] condemned the "heartless acts against defenceless civilians" and pledged to "stand shoulder to shoulder with Kenya."<ref name="theguardian1"/> He also cautioned against prejudgement, saying that "we don't have any proof that the people who did this are Somali."<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0921/475630-kenya-attack/|title=Kenyan shopping centre attack leaves 39 dead|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=19 February 2013|access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
===Supranational bodies=== | |||
*African Union — ] ] condemned the "dastardly terrorist attacks" and reiterated that the AU’s would continue in its fight against Al Shabaab within AMISOM. She also expressed the AU's solidarity with the government and people of Kenya.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cpauc.au.int/en/content/african-union-strongly-condemns-dastardly-terrorist-attacks-against-innocent-civilians-nairobi |title=The African Union Strongly Condemns the Dastardly Terrorist Attacks against Innocent Civilians in Nairobi |publisher=The African Union Commission |date=21 September 2013 |accessdate=22 September 2013 }}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|European Union}} — ] ] released a statement expressing condolences, on her behalf, to those affected by the attack in Nairobi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/138781.pdf |title=Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the attack in Nairobi |publisher=European External Action Service |date=22 September 2013 |accessdate=22 September 2013 }}</ref> | |||
*Interpol — Secretary-General ] strongly condemned the assault by "suspected al-Shabab militants" and pledged full support to Kenyan authorities in their investigation, offering to deploy an Incident Response Team consisting of specialised forensic officers, counter-terrorism experts, operational assistants and analysts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News-media-releases/2013/PR113 |title=INTERPOL condemns Nairobi terror ‘bloodbath’ |publisher=Interpol |date=22 September 2013 |accessdate=22 September 2013 }}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|United Nations}} — The ] released a statement that read, on behalf of Secretary-General ], that he "is following closely and with alarm" the developments and is being regularly briefed by his senior advisers. He also spoke with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and, according to the statement, "he also offered his solidarity as the Kenyan authorities handle the incident."<ref name="ccn"/> The ] condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms" and called on Kenya to note that any response must comply with international human rights law.<ref name="aljaz3"/> | |||
King ] expressed "profound emotion and indignation";<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.map.co.ma/fr/activites-royales/message-de-condoleances-de-sm-le-roi-au-president-kenyan-suite-lattaque-terroriste |title=Message de condoléances de SM le Roi au président kényan suite à l'attaque terroriste de Westgate mall à Nairobi |language=fr |publisher=Map.co.ma |access-date=24 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012051211/http://www.map.co.ma/fr/activites-royales/message-de-condoleances-de-sm-le-roi-au-president-kenyan-suite-lattaque-terroriste |archive-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Tanzanian President ]<ref name="dailynews1"/> and South African President ] also expressed condolences and reiterated support for Kenyan and international efforts "aimed at peacekeeping, stability, democracy and nation-building in Somalia."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/c1169d0041307c6d94da973895839b19/Zuma-condemns-Kenya-mall-attack-20132209|title=Zuma condemns Kenya mall attack|publisher=South African Broadcasting Corporation|date=22 September 2013|access-date=22 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927145424/http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/c1169d0041307c6d94da973895839b19/Zuma-condemns-Kenya-mall-attack-20132209|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> ] President and Secretary-General of the ], Mohamed Abdelaziz expressed "sadness and dismay about the shocking and cowardly massacre" and offered his country's "deepest condolences" and "heartfelt sympathy".<ref name="spsrasd1">{{cite news|title=President of Republic condoles Kenyan counterpart following mall attack|url=http://www.spsrasd.info/en/content/president-republic-condoles-kenyan-counterpart-following-mall-attack|publisher=]|date=22 September 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927203327/http://www.spsrasd.info/en/content/president-republic-condoles-kenyan-counterpart-following-mall-attack|archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
===Sovereign states=== | |||
*{{flag|Argentina}} — The ]<ref>{{cite web|title= Cancillería condenó ataque en Kenia |date=21 September 2013|url=http://www.rionegro.com.ar/diario/cancilleria-condeno-ataque-en-kenia-1257929-9532-nota.aspx|language=Spanish|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> issued a statement condemning the "barbaric act" and expressing "condolences to the Kenyan government, and most especially to the relatives of the victims."<ref>{{cite web|title=Argentina condena el atentado en Kenia|date=21 September 2013|url=http://www.lavoz.com.ar/mundo/argentina-condena-el-atentado-en-kenia|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|Canada}} — Prime Minister ] released a statement saying that "Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms this cowardly, hateful act that apparently targeted innocent civilians who were simply out shopping."<ref>{{cite web|title=Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on attack in Nairobi, Kenya|date=21 September 2013|url=http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&featureId=6&pageId=49&id=5677|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> Foreign Affairs Minister ], Public Safety Minister ] and Citizen and Immigration Minister ] released a joint statement saying: "Obviously we are devastated by the terrorist attack in Kenya. Al Shabab has wreaked havoc on this part of the world for far too long. In addition to the dozens of people killed and injured we are very sad to report we lost a Canadian diplomat and another Canadian … That people can be gunned down in broad daylight in a shopping mall on a weekend is obviously a tremendous tragedy. Obviously when you have someone serving their country abroad it is quite devastating ... and shakes us to the core."<ref name="thestar1"/> | |||
*{{flag|Chile}} — The ] issued a statement that condemned the attack and that "the Chilean government expresses its deepest sympathy to the Government and people of Kenya for this irreparable loss of human lives and expresses its solidarity with the families of the deceased victims and wounds."<ref>{{cite web|title=Comunicado de prensa|language=Spanish |date=22 September 2013|url=http://www.minrel.gob.cl/comunicado-de-prensa/minrel/2013-09-22/151113.html|accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|Colombia}} — The ] issued a press release stating: "The Government of Colombia strongly condemns the terrorist attack perpetrated by the terrorist group of Al Shabab" and also expressed "its most profound solidarity with the people and the Government of Kenya as they face this difficult time." The statement also read that Colombia offers its "most profound condolences to the families of the victims" and offered the Government of Kenya "any assistance that could be required and would like to request."<ref>{{cite web|title=Comunicado de prensa del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, rechazando el ataque terrorista perpetrado en Kenia |language=Spanish |date=22 September 2013|url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/newsroom/news/comunicado-prensa-del-ministerio-relaciones-exteriores-rechazando-ataque-terrorista|accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|France}} — President ] said that it was a "cowardly attack."<ref name="aljaz3">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/09/2013921174856564470.html |title=Gunfire as standoff continues in Kenya mall – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date= |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|Iran}} — Iran's foreign ministry spokeswoman ] strongly condemned the attacks, and expressed Iran's sympathy to the Kenyan people.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iran Condemns Terrorist Attack in Kenya|url=http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/146593|date=2013-09-22|publisher = Tasnim News}}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|India}} - Prime Minister ] wrote to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta condemning the attack.<ref name="bs">http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/pm-condemns-terror-attack-in-nairobi-113092200624_1.html#.Uj7u-RttkSo.twitter</ref> | |||
*{{flag|Israel}} — Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Ilana Stein said the attack took place near but not inside the Israeli-owned ArtCaffe. She added that one Israeli was lightly injured and three others escaped unharmed, and that the Kenyan interior minister {{who|date=September 2013}} said Israelis were not targeted. "This time, the story is not about Israel. The minister is saying that this is an internal Kenyan issue. His security forces tell him that this terror organisation was not targeting Israelis."<ref name="abc"/> | |||
*{{flag|Serbia}} - The ] condemned the attack and expressed their sympathies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Саучешће МСП Републици Кенији |language=Serbian|date=22 September 2013|url=http://www.mfa.gov.rs/sr/index.php/pres-servis/saopstenja/11730-2013-09-22-16-04-02?lang=cyr=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|Somalia}} — President ] condemned the killings, calling them "heartless acts against defenceless civilians" and pledged to "stand shoulder to shoulder with Kenya."<ref>{{cite news|title=Dozens die as Islamic militants attack Kenyan shopping mall|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/21/kenyan-shopping-mall-attack-dead|date=21 September 2013|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref> He also cautioned against prejudgement, saying that "we don't have any proof that the people who did this are Somali."<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0921/475630-kenya-attack/ |title=Kenyan shopping centre attack leaves 39 dead |publisher=Rte.ie |date=19 February 2013 |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
**Al-Shabaab's Twitter outlet posted messages, amongst them some read: "The attacks are just retribution for the lives of innocent Muslims shelled by Kenyan jets in Lower Jubba and in refugee camps;" "What Kenyans are witnessing at #Westgate is retributive justice for crimes committed by their military, albeit largely miniscule in nature;" "Since our last contact, the Mujahideen inside the mall confirmed to @HSM_Press that they killed over 100 Kenyan kuffar & battle is ongoing;" "For long we have waged war against the Kenyans in our land, now it’s time to shift the battleground and take the war to their land;" "The attack at #WestgateMall is just a very tiny fraction of what Muslims in Somalia experience at the hands of Kenyan invaders;" "The Kenyan government, however, turned a deaf ear to our repeated warnings and continued to massacre innocent Muslims in Somalia;"<ref name="HSM"/> "Kenyan government shall be held responsible for any loss of life as a result of such an imprudent move. The call is yours!" and "Kenyan forces who’ve just attempted a roof landing must know that they are jeopardising the lives of hostages."<ref name="aljaz3"/> Twitter suspended their account before the attack had ended.<ref name="HSM">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/HSM_Press |title=Twitter / Account Suspended |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref>{{dead link|date=September 2013}} | |||
*{{flag|South Africa}} — ] ] expressed his shock and dismay at the attack and also his sympathy and deepest condolences for all those affected, including the South African victim. He also continued to support Kenyan and international efforts "aimed at peacekeeping, stability, democracy and nation-building in Somalia."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/c1169d0041307c6d94da973895839b19/Zuma-condemns-Kenya-mall-attack-20132209 |title=Zuma condemns Kenya mall attack |publisher=South African Broadcasting Corporation |date=22 September 2013 |accessdate=22 September 2013 }}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|Sweden}} — Foreign Minister ] wrote on Twitter that he "strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Nairobi. The guilty must be brought to justice."<ref>{{cite web|title=Carl Bildt's Tweet|url=https://twitter.com/carlbildt/status/381556749360431104|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|United Kingdom}} — Prime Minister ] spoke to Kenyatta and, according to a ] statement, "the current situation and explained that Kenyan security forces were bringing the situation under control. passed on his sincere condolences and assured President Kenyatta that our thoughts were with him and all the people of Kenya at this difficult time. The prime minister said we were ready to provide any assistance we could."<ref name="ccn">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/kenya-mall-world-reaction/ |title=World leaders condemn terror attack at Kenya mall, pledge support |publisher=Edition.cnn.com |date=18 September 2013 |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> Foreign Secretary ] released a statement that read: "We are aware of a major security incident underway at the Westgate Shopping Centre in Nairobi. We are in close contact with the Kenyan authorities on the ground in Kenya and at ministerial level in the United Kingdom. The prime consideration at present is the welfare of members of the public caught up in this incident."<ref>{{cite web|author=Foreign & Commonwealth Office|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-comments-on-security-incident-in-nairobi|title=Foreign Secretary comments on security incident in Nairobi|publisher=GOV.UK|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> Minister for Africa ] offered "consular assistance if British citizens caught up".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MarkJSimmonds/status/381427410635591680 |title=Mark Simmonds (@MarkJSimmonds) on Twitter |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|United States}} — President ] called his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, the next day to express his condolences.<Ref>http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/nairobi-shopping-centre-attacks-death-toll-hits-68-as-siege-continues-29596919.html</ref> The ] issued a statement that read: "The United States has offered its full support to the Kenyan government to bring to justice those responsible for "this heinous act." according to a statement released by the White House. National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said: "We will continue to stand with the Kenyan people in their efforts to confront terrorism in all its forms, including the threat posed by Al-Shabaab. This cowardly act against innocent civilians will not shake our resolve."<ref name="ccn"/> Secretary of State ] released a statement that read: "Today's terrorist massacre of so many innocents is a heartbreaking reminder that there exists unspeakable evil in our world which can destroy life in a senseless instant...Although we have no reports of any Americans killed today, we have lost a member of our own State Department family: the wife of a foreign service national working for the ]... Attacks like this can't change who we are, a people committed to peace and justice for all, but rather must reaffirm our determination to counter extremism and promote tolerance everywhere. As we prepare to bring the world's leaders together at the United Nations next week, we are reminded again in tragedy of our common humanity."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10151965287553694&id=146218063693 |title=September 21, 2013 STATEMENT BY... – U.S. Embassy Nairobi |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref> State Department's spokeswoman Marie Harf said that its citizens were reportedly among the injured and also condemned the "senseless act of violence. We have reports of American citizens injured in the attack, and the U.S. embassy is actively reaching out to provide assistance."<ref name="aljaz3"/> ] ] wrote on ''Twitter'': "Despicable & cowardly terrorist attack on innocents in #Nairobi today. US stands firmly w/ Kenyan ppl in fight against terrorism, al-Shabaab."<Ref>https://twitter.com/AmbassadorRice/status/381524717423058944</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
{{Portal|Kenya}} | |||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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Latest revision as of 02:48, 3 January 2025
2013 terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya
Westgate shopping mall attack | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the War in Somalia and Terrorism in Kenya | |||||||
Smoke over Westgate shopping mall on 23 September 2013 | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Al-Shabaab |
Supported by: United StatesIsrael United Kingdom | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Ahmed Godane Adan Garaar Abu Baara al Sudani † Omar Nabhan † Umayr al-Mogadish † Khattab al-Kene † |
Uhuru Kenyatta Joseph Ole Lenku William Saiya Aswenje Julius Waweru Karangi Grace Kaindi Martin Munene † | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Unknown |
Kenya Army Infantry Recce Squad | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
4 fighters | Unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
4 killed | : 5 killed, 12 wounded | ||||||
62 civilians killed, 163 wounded | |||||||
Al Shabaab leaders subsequently killed in retaliatory air-strikes (per Kenya's military). |
On 21 September 2013, four masked gunmen attacked the Westgate shopping mall, an upmarket mall in Nairobi, Kenya. There are conflicting reports about the number killed in the attack, since part of the mall collapsed due to a fire that started during the siege. The attack resulted in 71 total deaths, including 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers, and all four gunmen. Approximately 200 people were wounded in the massacre.
The militant Islamist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the incident, which it characterised as retribution for the Kenyan military's deployment in the group's home country of Somalia following Operation Linda Nchi from 2011 to 2012.
Kenyan authorities arrested dozens of people in the aftermath of the attack, but had not announced any suspects directly related to the siege. On 4 November 2013, a Kenyan court charged four Somali nationals with harbouring the gunmen in their homes, with each pleading not guilty.
On 20 September 2015, Foreign Policy magazine reported the Westgate attack on 21 September lasted several hours, with the last victim killed before special Kenyan security forces entered the mall. The mall was officially declared secured on 24 September.
Background
The incident followed threats from Al-Shabaab in late 2011 of attacks in Kenya in retaliation for Operation Linda Nchi, a coordinated military operation in southern Somalia that was launched against the group by the Somali Armed Forces and Kenya Defence Forces. One week before the incident and a month after United Nations warnings of possible attacks, Kenyan police claimed to have disrupted a major attack in its final stages of planning after arresting two people with grenades, AK-47 assault rifles, and suicide vests packed with ball bearings. The two suspects were from a Nairobi neighbourhood where Somali immigrants live. A manhunt was also launched for eight more suspects. The Sunday Telegraph claimed that it had seen United Nations documents that warned that in the previous month the threat of an "attempted large-scale attack" in Kenya was "elevated." After the incident, Nairobi senator Mike Sonko claimed that he had warned the security services of a possible attack three months previously. The country was celebrating the International Day of Peace when the incident took place.
Preparation
An Al-Shabaab team, led by the Somali national Adam Garaar, conducted extensive reconnaissance of the building, noting entrances, exits, security systems, and other details. The mall’s unarmed security guards and casual checks for metal objects made it an attractive target for the group. Garaar, who was the head of Al-Shabaab’s external operations unit, took advantage of Kenya’s relaxed security measures and relocated to the town of Garissa in 2011 and began to plan the Westgate attack, securing support from Al-Shabaab’s leadership. The team visited Nairobi several times to inspect the mall and built a network to covertly obtain weapons, ammunition, SIM cards and a Mitsubishi Lancer. He reported his findings through Al-Shabaab’s chain of command who then submitted plans to Al-Shabaab’s senior operations commander, Abdirahman Sandhere and was approved by the emir of Al-Shabaab, Ahmed Godane shortly after. All four attackers arrived around three months before the siege. Adam Garaar was killed after a drone strike on 12 March 2015. Garaar was in a vehicle hit by a missile near the town of Dinsoor in southern Somalia.
On 17 June 2013, one of the attackers, Mohamed Abdinur Said, known by his nom de guerre as Umayr al-Mogadish, boarded East African Express flight 803 from Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport to Nairobi via Wajir and Entebbe, Uganda. Abdinur, who presented himself as a student with no travel history, passed through security without arousing suspicion. Call log data later revealed that he made several phone calls to known Al-Shabaab members in Somalia while waiting for the flight to be cleared at Wajir International Airport.
Two other attackers, including Ahmed Hassan Abukar and Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow, used Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport as a point of entry into Kenya to avoid the heightened security measures at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Abukar and Abdinur had known each other from their time in Kakuma Refugee Camp, and over the years had been radicalised by Al Shabaab, while Dhuhulow was radicalised online in Norway. By 26 July 2013, Mohamed Abdinur boarded a bus from Kampala to Nairobi, joining Ahmed Abukar, who was already in Kenya. The attackers communicated extensively via phone, coordinating their movements across Uganda and Kenya. Abdinur, believed to be the group’s leader, made frequent calls to Mohamed Abdi, who was later convicted for his role in planning the attack.
Shootings and initial siege
On Saturday 21 September 2013, at about 12:25pm, at least four masked assailants (initially claimed by the government to be between 10 and 15) jumped out of a silver Mitsubishi Lancer on Mwanzi Road, near the front entrance of the Westgate shopping mall, the most upscale mall in Nairobi, in its Westlands district. They threw three grenades, one hit a nearby coffee shop, while two hit a security booth nearby. The four militants split into pairs. One pair made for the main pedestrian entrance, while the other continued along the front of the building toward the vehicle entrance. Two of the gunman made it up to the upstairs parking lot, where a children’s cooking competition was being held. They approached and threw grenades and opened fire indiscriminately. One of the militants said in English: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. We’ve come to kill you Christians and Kenyans for what you are doing in Somalia." One of the attackers yelled "we are al-Shabab".
The two other gunmen had been shooting at shoppers from the main entrance. One of the gunmen, Abu Baara al-Sudani (later identified as Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow), entered the Urban Burgers restaurant and fired at the patrons, mostly foreign tourists and expats, killing three and injuring numerous others. Dhuhulow had made a phone call to his uncle in Egypt, Abdi Mohammed Dhuhulow, where he claimed responsibility for the ongoing assault. Dhuhulow reportedly told his uncle to watch BBC and Al Jazeera, stating, "I am responsible for that. Say bye to the family." Earlier in the attack, Dhuhulow had been shot in the leg by Constable Ali Miraji, who had initially mistaken the attackers for General Service Unit (GSU) officers. CCTV footage from inside the mall showed Dhuhulow limping with a blood-soaked bandage around his left knee. The attackers had discarded their cell phone numbers two days prior to the siege, but two of their new numbers were traced to a location in Eastleigh and later to Westgate, where they arrived shortly before the attack began. By 1:15 p.m, all four gunmen regrouped together in a supermarket. The militants let an expatriate woman and her two children leave the store, along with an injured Kenyan teenage girl. Shortly after, the militants got into their first major confrontation with armed police, which would continue on throughout the day. Cameras in the mall revealed the gunmen carried assault rifles and wore civilian clothing. Police surrounded the area and urged residents to stay away. A report indicated that about 80 people were trapped in the basement, but police said that they had escorted some shoppers to safety and were trying to capture the gunmen.
All four gunmen ended up inside a storeroom at the Nakumatt supermarket, where they would remain for the rest of the siege. Kenyan security forces began their operation at 4:00 p.m., almost four hours after the beginning of the attack. Most of the victims were killed in the first hour. Gunmen were seen on CCTV talking on mobile phones and bowing down in Islamic prayer between their attacks.
Rob Van Dijk, an employee of the Dutch embassy, said that while he was eating at a restaurant the attack started with grenades and was followed by gunfire as patrons screamed and dropped to the ground. Other witnesses said the attack began at the outdoor seating area of Artcaffe at the front of the mall. An Artcaffe employee, Patrick Kuria, said: "We started by hearing gunshots downstairs and outside. Later we heard them come inside. We took cover. Then we saw two gunmen wearing black turbans. I saw them shoot." Some of the casualties were at the entrance to the mall after the assailants moved outside and a stand-off then commenced with police. Ambulances were present at the mall as rescuers started moving emerging victims. Reports indicated children were among the victims, and patrons that were carrying small children were among those trapped. Mall security guards used shopping carts to ferry out wounded children.
Nation TV footage showed dozens of people escaping from a back entrance. Twenty people were rescued from a toy shop on the upper floor. As the Kenyan army troops arrived, they used tear gas to try to smoke out the attackers from the cinema complex. Vehicles riddled with bullet holes were left abandoned in front of the mall. Kimaiyo said: "Our officers are on the ground carrying out an evacuation of those inside as they search for the attackers who are said to be inside." A police officer indicated that there were three bodies there while he pointed to a pool of blood by a children's shoe shop. He then pointed to a hamburger bar where music still played and indicated more bodies were found there.
The attackers had told Muslims to leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted. Others were asked to name the mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad to distinguish Muslims from non-Muslims. They also distinguished Muslims from non-Muslims by asking others to recite the shahadah. To Associated Press, al-Shabaab called it "a meticulous vetting process ... to separate the Muslims from the Kuffar". At least two people were killed for incorrectly stating the Shahada.
Friendly fire incident
At around 4:00 PM, the Recce Company, a specialised unit of Kenya’s General Service Unit (GSU), arrived on-site. The group entered through the rooftop car park, while Kenya Defense Force soldiers simultaneously entered from the ground floor. Unfortunately, the two groups were not in communication with each other. This lack of coordination led to a tragic incident on the first floor, where the Recce Squad and the soldiers mistakenly engaged in a shootout. The commander of the Recce Squad, Martin Munene, was killed, and two officers were injured. In the aftermath, the Recce Squad members withdrew from the operation, followed by the withdrawal of the army, leaving no significant Kenyan presence in the mall for several hours.
Rescue efforts
Goran Tomasevic, Reuters chief photographer for East Africa, recorded the first few hours of the attacks in which he described extremely distressed people including children, women and men bleeding from the impact of shrapnel and gunshots. Abdul Yusuf Haji, son of former Defence Minister of Kenya Mohamed Yusuf Haji, on receiving text messages from his brother Noordin Yusuf Haji, an undercover anti-terrorism agent who was stuck inside the shopping center, travelled to the mall with his handgun and entered with other civilian rescuers. He helped rescue a mother and her three daughters, providing cover with other armed rescuers. Tomasevic's photos of the rescue efforts by civilians were beamed all around the world.
Several other armed and unarmed civilians also participated in various rescues. An ex-SAS man, Taff Groves, a former member of the Irish Army Ranger Wing, Lorcan Byrne, an off duty member of Diplomatic Protective Services Tactical Response Unit (DPS-TRU), Peter Bach and former British Armed Forces Major Dominic Troulan helped to save lives in the immediate aftermath of the attack. They were working as security consultants and they raced to the Westgate mall when the militants went on the rampage. Under fire, they organised the rescue of terrified shoppers. There are several similarities between this rescue by civilians and members of elite forces and the rescue at Nairobi DusitD2 complex attack. Troulan was subsequently awarded the George Cross, Britain's highest award for civilian gallantry.
By nightfall, the mall remained sealed off to the public while security services searched floor by floor for the gunmen, believed to still be inside with the hostages. People continued to trickle out from hiding places. The Kenyan Red Cross said on 24 September that 63 people were still missing. In Nairobi, daily business returned to normal; appeals replenished blood banks, and over US$650,000 was raised to support the affected families.
Israeli involvement
At the time of the attacks, the mall was owned by Israelis, and at least four restaurants in the mall were owned/operated by Israelis, according to Israeli sources. The International Business Times stated that Kenya and Israel had a secret security pact. Israeli military advisers were reported to have participated in the counter-offensive against the hostage takers and to have joined in the fighting, although the Israeli Foreign Ministry refused to confirm or deny the presence of its forces.
Looting
In the days following the initial attack, Kenyan soldiers arrived at the scene to rescue people inside, and find the gunmen. Shortly after entering, however, soldiers were seen on camera looting almost every store in the mall while still under besiegement. Two soldiers were arrested and jailed for looting mobile phones and several others were questioned.
Casualties
Nationality | Deaths |
---|---|
Kenya | 48 |
United Kingdom | 4 |
India | 3 |
Canada | 2 |
France | 2 |
Australia | 1 |
China | 1 |
Ghana | 1 |
Netherlands | 1 |
Peru | 1 |
South Africa | 1 |
South Korea | 1 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 1 |
During the siege and for days afterwards, the toll of casualties remained unclear. Eyewitnesses were reported to have seen 50 bodies in the mall. In addition, at first there were reported hostages taken by attackers, but later it became apparent no hostages were ever held, other eyewitnesses also said that they had seen dozens wounded. An unnamed local hospital reported that it was overwhelmed with the number of wounded being brought in and that it had consequently diverted victims to a second facility. At least 71 people were killed, including four terrorists. In addition to numerous Kenyans who were killed, at least 19 foreigners of different nationalities also died. The National Disaster Operation Centre said that the wounded ranged in age from 2 to 78. Sources said 175 people were wounded, including 11 soldiers. There are also claims of torture carried out by the terrorists. Notable victims included Kenyan journalist Ruhila Adatia-Sood, President Uhuru Kenyatta's nephew Mbugua Mwangi and his fiancée Rosemary Wahito, Ghanaian poet and diplomat Kofi Awoonor and Canadian diplomat Annemarie Desloges. Kenyan interior minister Joseph Ole Lenku said Israelis were not targeted. "This time, the story is not about Israel. The minister is saying that this is an internal Kenyan issue. His security forces tell him that this terror organisation was not targeting Israelis."
Most of the victims were from Kenya’s business and political elite, as well as expatriates and the diplomatic community.
Investigation
British police officers based in Kenya arrived on the scene to help Kenyan counter-terrorism officials, and Kenyan officials began an investigation. Security was also tightened in public places across Kenya. Ten arrests were reported on 24 September. In announcing the end of operations, Kenyatta said "forensic investigations are underway to establish the nationalities of all those involved" and suggested that a British woman and two or three Americans "may have been involved in the attack" but that could not be confirmed at the time. Kenyan Defence Chief, General Julius Karangi, said the attackers were from "different countries."
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) was strongly criticised for failing to warn of the attack after The Star reported that two unnamed NIS officers had told it that the NIS had passed warnings about an attack to the police, and that a pregnant woman had been warned by her brother, an NIS officer, not to visit the Westgate mall that Saturday "because she would not be able to run with her bulging tummy". The Observer reported that Kenya had prior intelligence of an attack in Nairobi, and that there were reports of NIS agents being at Westgate a few hours before the attack. From its start, the investigation was hampered by a wide range of conflicting eyewitness testimony about the number of attackers, the gunmen's true identities, and even their ultimate fates. Over sixty persons were listed by the Red Cross as missing, though police asserted that they were all among the dead; in news reports, some have been described as additional terrorists who escaped alive, though the Kenyan government firmly denies this.
It was reported on 10 October that the police, army, and intelligence services had been engaging in "blame games" after the attack. Some international forensic teams had reportedly returned home, frustrated that they were not allowed full access to the mall.
A separate investigation of the attack was conducted by the New York Police Department (NYPD). The report's findings, released in December 2013, suggested that the attack had been carried out by only four Al-Shabaab terrorists, all of whom most likely escaped the mall alive. However, an investigation conducted between Kenyan and US State Department officials suggested that while there were only four gunmen who carried out the attack, they were all likely killed during the standoff. Lt. Kevin Yorke of the NYPD's Intelligence Division also acknowledged that the NYPD investigation, which did not have representatives among the group of western investigators assisting Kenya with the probe, was "based solely on open-source information we gathered and is unclassified."
Perpetrators
On 5 October 2015, the Kenyan government released the nom de guerres believed to have been used by the four attackers. The shooters were named as Abu Baara al-Sudani, Omar Abdul Rahim Nabhan, Khattab al-Kene, and Umayr al-Mogadish. The youngest attacker was reportedly 19 and the oldest was 23. Police recovered the attacker's body under rubble and performed DNA analysis to identify the assailants, who died of smoke inhalation according to autopsy results.
Norway's intelligence agency, the PST, later announced in early October that it had sent officers to Kenya to investigate reports alleging that a Norwegian citizen of Somali origin, named as Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow, was also involved in the planning and execution of the attack. Dhuhulow, who was 23 during the attack, was confirmed to have been the perpetrator and died in the attack in 2015. Having migrated to Norway in 1999, Dhuhulow had previously been under surveillance by PST.
In September 2013, the attackers were publicly identified as Hassan Abdi Mohamed alias Dhuhulow (Abu Baara al-Sudani), Ahmed Hassan Abukar (Khattab al-Kene), Mohammed Abdinur Said (Umayr al-Mogadish), and Yahye Osman Ahmed alias Arab (Omar Nabhan; aka Yahya Golis). Al-Shabaab denied that any of the names attributed to any of the attackers are genuine.
The investigation led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) concluded that Mohammed Abdinur Said was the commander of the attack and had been planning since June 2013. Before the attack began, the attackers shred their belongings and documents inside of a Mitsubishi Lancer they purchased in September 2013. They attempted to light the car on fire inside of the mall's parking lot but the fire extinguished itself shortly after, failing to destroy the attackers belongings.
Insurance registration found inside of the attackers car led the DCI to two co-conspirators, Abdikadir Mohamed and Abdullahi Dugon Subow, who fled Kenya for Somalia. One of the reconstructed documents was a receipt to one of the gunmen, Mohammed Abdinur Said. Data obtained for the five SIM cards found inside of the car led investigators to Entebbe Airport in Uganda which allowed the NCI to identify the gunmen and two co-conspirators, Hussein Hassan Mustafa and Mohammed Ahmed Abdi.
Kenyan authorities arrested dozens of people in the aftermath of the attack, but had not announced any suspects directly related to the siege. On 4 November 2013, four individuals reported to be Somali nationals were charged by a Kenyan court in relation to the attack. Identified as Mohammed Ahmed Abdi, Liban Abdullah, Adnan Ibrahim and Hussein Hassan, they were accused of supporting terrorist elements in Kenya, harboring the gunmen in their homes, illicitly registering as a Kenyan citizen, and obtaining false identification documents. However, none of the men were accused of being the shooters involved in the siege, the latter of whom Kenyan military officials asserted had all died. All four of the accused men pleaded not guilty to the allegations, with no attorney representing them. The court ordered the men to be detained until a hearing in a week's time.
On 7 October 2020, a Kenyan court sentenced three defendants accused of helping Islamic militants in 2013 in preparation for an attack on Nairobi’s shopping mall. More than 140 witnesses were heard in the case before the verdict was handed down. In the verdict, Nairobi Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi ruled that Hussein Hassan Mustafa and Mohammed Ahmed Abdi found guilty of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. In the case of the third defendant, there was not enough evidence to prove the conspiracy charge, so he was acquitted. Earlier, in January 2019, an accused had also been acquitted in the same case for lack of evidence. However, after proving the prosecution's charge, Otsieno Namwaya, a senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, claimed that neither the attackers nor the masterminds had been brought to justice now, the convicts were only bystanders in the case.
Responsibility
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility shortly after the attack began. Before it was banned, a Twitter account claiming to represent al-Shabaab posted a series of messages alleging that the attacks were "just retribution" for crimes committed by Kenya's military. "For long we have waged war against the Kenyans in our land, now it's time to shift the battleground and take the war to their land", said one post. "The attack at #WestgateMall is just a very tiny fraction of what Muslims in Somalia experience at the hands of Kenyan invaders," said another. They warned the Kenyan government that any attempt by Kenyan forces to attempt a roof landing would jeopardise the lives of hostages. Twitter suspended the account before the attack had ended.
The group official spokesman, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, said: "If you want Kenya in peace, it will not happen as long as your boys are in ." Another Al-Shabaab spokesman, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Abu Musab, the official military spokesperson for Al-Shabaab, told Al Jazeera that the attack was in retaliation for Kenyan troops entering Somalia and that the timing was deliberately chosen to be a surprise attack. al-Shabaab repeated their demands for Kenya's withdrawal from Somalia. On the day the operation ended, Rage threatened further "black days" unless Kenya withdrew its troops from Somalia and said that the siege was just "a taste of what we will do."
Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed said that Al-Shabaab was not acting alone and the assault was part of an international campaign of terror; and that "two or three" US citizens and a Briton were among the attackers. "Al-Shabab are looking for relevance on an international scale – especially after a change of leadership – and is looking to send the message that they are still a force to be reckoned with." The suggestion that there had been a British perpetrator in their ranks was strongly rejected by Al-Shabaab. Kenyan officials later lowered the estimated number of gunmen to four to six militants, when it was previously estimated as ten.
Reactions
Domestic
The attack has been described as one of the worst acts of terrorism in Kenya since the bombing of the U.S. embassy in 1998. President Uhuru Kenyatta said on national television that Kenya had "overcome terrorist attacks before" and vowed to "hunt down the perpetrators wherever they run".
On 10 October 2013, it was reported that President Kenyatta had admitted that the Westgate operation was "bungled", and undertook to carry out a complete investigation. The Kenyan Cabinet was expected to establish a formal commission of inquiry.
International bodies
The African Union's Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma condemned the attacks and reiterated that the AU would continue in its fight against al-Shabaab. She also expressed the AU's solidarity with the government and people of Kenya. The European Union offered its support. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed "alarm" and offered Kenyatta solidarity. The United Nations Security Council condemned the attack and called on Kenya to note that any response must comply with international human rights law.
Interpol Secretary-General Ronald Noble condemned the assault and pledged full support to Kenyan authorities in their investigation, offering to deploy an Incident Response Team consisting of specialised forensic officers, counter-terrorism experts, operational assistants and analysts. Noble, in an interview with ABC, indicated that in the face of large 'soft' targets, governments have a choice: security clearances at entrances or allow the citizenry to carry guns for self-defence.
States
Many countries expressed their condemnation of the attacks and sympathy for those affected, including Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Eritrea, Hungary, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Serbia, Somalia, Tanzania, the United States, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago. Some restated their condemnation during the General debate of the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the "heartless acts against defenceless civilians" and pledged to "stand shoulder to shoulder with Kenya." He also cautioned against prejudgement, saying that "we don't have any proof that the people who did this are Somali."
King Mohammed VI of Morocco expressed "profound emotion and indignation"; Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and South African President Jacob Zuma also expressed condolences and reiterated support for Kenyan and international efforts "aimed at peacekeeping, stability, democracy and nation-building in Somalia." Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic President and Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Mohamed Abdelaziz expressed "sadness and dismay about the shocking and cowardly massacre" and offered his country's "deepest condolences" and "heartfelt sympathy".
See also
- 1998 United States embassy bombings
- 2002 Mombasa attacks
- 2011–14 terrorist attacks in Kenya
- 2013 Nairobi bus attack
- 2019 Nairobi hotel attack
- Robert Alai
- Garissa University College attack
- List of Islamist terrorist attacks
- List of filmed mass shootings
- Terrorism in Kenya
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External links
- Media related to Westgate shopping mall shooting at Wikimedia Commons
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Nairobi at Wikimedia Commons . Kenya portal |
- 2010s in Nairobi
- 2010s sieges
- 2013 mass shootings in Africa
- 2013 murders in Kenya
- 21st-century mass murder in Kenya
- Attacks on buildings and structures in 2013
- Attacks on buildings and structures in Kenya
- Attacks on shopping malls in Africa
- Attacks on tourists in Africa
- Al-Shabaab (militant group) attacks in Kenya
- Deaths by firearm in Kenya
- Filmed killings
- Hostage taking in Africa
- Islamic terrorism in Kenya
- Islamic terrorist incidents in 2013
- Israel–Kenya relations
- Mass murder in Nairobi
- Mass shootings in Kenya
- Massacres in 2013
- Massacres in Kenya
- September 2013 crimes in Africa
- Terrorist incidents in Kenya in 2013
- Terrorist incidents in Nairobi