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Al-Shabab Attacks Military Base Used by US Forces in Kenya

Associated Press

   The U.S. military said the security situation was "fluid" at a Kenyan
   airfield used by U.S. forces after a pre-dawn attack Sunday by the
   al-Shabab extremist group. The attack destroyed U.S. aircraft and
   vehicles, Kenyan authorities said, and at least four attackers were
   killed.
   It was not yet clear whether any U.S. or Kenyan forces were killed. A
   U.S. Africa Command statement said "an accountability of personnel
   assessment is underway." The midday statement said the Manda Bay
   airfield was "still in the process of being fully secured."
   The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, based in neighboring Somalia, claimed
   responsibility and asserted that "intense" combat with U.S. forces
   continued. The U.S. statement called the al-Shabab claims exaggerated
   and said U.S. and Kenyan forces repelled the attack.
   It is the first known al-Shabab attack against U.S. forces inside
   Kenya, a key base for fighting one of the world's most resilient
   extremist organizations.
   A plume of black smoke rose above the base. Residents said a car bomb
   had exploded early in the morning. Lamu county commissioner Irungu
   Macharia told The Associated Press that five suspects were arrested and
   were being interrogated.
   An internal Kenyan police report seen by the AP said two fixed-wing
   aircraft, a U.S. Cessna and a Kenyan one, were destroyed along with two
   U.S. helicopters and multiple U.S. vehicles at the Manda Bay military
   airstrip. The report said explosions were heard at around 5:30 a.m.
   from the direction of the airstrip. The scene, now secured, indicated
   that al-Shabab likely entered "to conduct targeted attacks," the report
   said.
   The U.S. military said only that "initial reports reflect damage to
   infrastructure and equipment." The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said
   the airstrip was closed for all operations.
   Al-Shabab's statement included photos of blazing aircraft it asserted
   were from the attack. A second al-Shabab claim issued hours later
   asserted that "intense close-quarters combat" against U.S. forces
   continued.

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