NAIROBI -- Fighting raged at an upscale mall in Kenya’s capital for a fourth day Tuesday, with Kenyan security forces suffering casualties as they attempted to quell Islamist militants who had seized the shopping center and taken hostages.
Confusion reigned, as Kenyan officials asserted they had control over the Westgate Premier Shopping Mall, while the militants — who reportedly come from countries around the globe, including the United States, but whose identities remain murky — insisted they had the upper hand.
Monsoon rains, Kenya attack, World War II battle reenactment, America’s Cup race and more.
Sporadic gunfire and smoke appeared to counter statements by Kenyan officials that the bloody standoff was nearing an end. As the shooting continued, a parallel tussle unfolded on Twitter between the militants and the government, as each side tried to counter the other’s version of events.
The Somali-based, al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militia tweeted that it was still holding hostages, who were “looking quite disconcerted but nevertheless, alive.” Another Shabab tweet said: “Mujahideen are still holding their ground #westgate.”
But Kenyan officials offered a different account, saying they believe all hostages had been released. “We’re very near the end,” Kenya’s Interior Ministry posted on Twitter at noon.
The conflicting statements underscored the immense struggle Kenyan security forces are facing in ending the siege. The military has deployed helicopters, planes and armored personnel carriers, and has sought help from U.S., European and Israeli security advisers.
Yet the militants, who executed a sophisticated and well-planned operation and are heavily armed, remain resilient. The mall, a labyrinthine 350,000 square-foot complex, has been an invaluable asset, affording the militants food, supplies and numerous hiding places.
At least 62 civilians have been killed, Kenya’s government says. Dozens of people reported to have been inside the mall remained missing, according to the Kenyan Red Cross. And a Kenyan government spokesman, Manoah Esipisu, confirmed Tuesday that security forces are still engaged in combat with the militants.
“One more terrorist of the Westgate siege has been gunned down, bringing the death toll of these terrorists to three,” Esipisu wrote in a tweet. Earlier government statements suggested that a total of three militants had been killed as of Monday night, raising the possibility that by Tuesday as many as four may have been dead.
But al-Shabab quickly parried Esipisu’s tweet with a taunting one of its own. “None of the Mujahids is dead. .
Confusion reigned, as Kenyan officials asserted they had control over the Westgate Premier Shopping Mall, while the militants — who reportedly come from countries around the globe, including the United States, but whose identities remain murky — insisted they had the upper hand.
Monsoon rains, Kenya attack, World War II battle reenactment, America’s Cup race and more.
Sporadic gunfire and smoke appeared to counter statements by Kenyan officials that the bloody standoff was nearing an end. As the shooting continued, a parallel tussle unfolded on Twitter between the militants and the government, as each side tried to counter the other’s version of events.
The Somali-based, al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militia tweeted that it was still holding hostages, who were “looking quite disconcerted but nevertheless, alive.” Another Shabab tweet said: “Mujahideen are still holding their ground #westgate.”
But Kenyan officials offered a different account, saying they believe all hostages had been released. “We’re very near the end,” Kenya’s Interior Ministry posted on Twitter at noon.
The conflicting statements underscored the immense struggle Kenyan security forces are facing in ending the siege. The military has deployed helicopters, planes and armored personnel carriers, and has sought help from U.S., European and Israeli security advisers.
Yet the militants, who executed a sophisticated and well-planned operation and are heavily armed, remain resilient. The mall, a labyrinthine 350,000 square-foot complex, has been an invaluable asset, affording the militants food, supplies and numerous hiding places.
At least 62 civilians have been killed, Kenya’s government says. Dozens of people reported to have been inside the mall remained missing, according to the Kenyan Red Cross. And a Kenyan government spokesman, Manoah Esipisu, confirmed Tuesday that security forces are still engaged in combat with the militants.
“One more terrorist of the Westgate siege has been gunned down, bringing the death toll of these terrorists to three,” Esipisu wrote in a tweet. Earlier government statements suggested that a total of three militants had been killed as of Monday night, raising the possibility that by Tuesday as many as four may have been dead.
But al-Shabab quickly parried Esipisu’s tweet with a taunting one of its own. “None of the Mujahids is dead. .