Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the mid-afternoon raid of Dusit Hotel, 14 Riverside Drive, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya.
The Islamist fighters posted a short flash claiming that their fighters have succeeded to storm into the ‘targeted” building following detonations at the front gate.
BREAKING: Al-Shabaab claims responsibility for the ongoing attack in Nairobi, Kenya. Announcement was made via an affiliate account.
— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) January 15, 2019
Al Shabaab stated that the attack was to mark the third anniversary of El Adde attack in the Gedo region of Somalia where over 150 Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers were reported killed or missing in action. The KDF is part of the 22000-strong African Union Peace-keeping force, AMISOM, presently on duty in the war-ravished, troubled Somalia giving training, logistic support and active back-up to the Somalia national army and Jubbaland forces battling it out with Al Shabaab in the Jubbaland Federal State.
According to official Kenyan sources, an unspecified number of heavily armed fighters forced their way into the interior of the hotel at about 3:30 in the afternoon.
The wooded business and residential sector suddenly jolted upright in shock as detonations and gunfire rented the serene air.
Kenyan special para-military, elite recce units soon cordoned off the area in a bid to contain the fighters to that one spot in order to overpower them or kill them to prevent the fight to spill into neighbouring abodes.
Eyewitnesses saw several cars burning at the compound and can still hear gunshots inside the hotel.
The National Police specialised units are on site at 14 Riverside Drive to engage the attackers. Please utilise this channel for all official information and refrain from re-tweeting unconfirmed news.
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) January 15, 2019
Police wishes to confirm that there has been an attack incident along 14 Riverside Drive. The area has since been cordoned off and motorists are advised to use alternative routes to facilitate smooth operations of the Police.
More information to follow.
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) January 15, 2019
The fighting has not yet come to an end and casualties, and, as such, it is hard to get a head count on the dead and injured in the raid on Dusit, although unconfirmed reports the death toll thus far at four with 14 more injured on varying degrees.
A number of people, however, have escaped the area some of whom injured. Nairobi, Hospital, MP Shah and Aga Khan received the wounded for treatment, reports said.
In the meanwhile, an urgent call for blood donations went out to help people hurt.
Urgent blood appeal made by Avenue Hospital in Parklands. Other hospitals likely to require blood as well. Please help out of you can. 14 Riverside Dusit #RiversideAttack
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) January 15, 2019
