Somalia-based Al-Shabab storms US Naval base in Kenya, takes firm control

LAMU, Kenya - An elite squad from Al-Shabaab's "Martyrdom Brigade" on Sunday morning stormed a US Naval base in Kenya, taking firm control albeit temporarily, the group has claimed, Garowe Online reports.

During the daring dawn raid at Camp Simba in Manda Island, Al-Shabaab has claimed, US military equipment was destroyed, among them vehicles and aircraft.

Camp Simba hosts the elite US submarine team and troops from Kenya Defense Forces (KDF). It is situated along the Kenya-Somalia border along the Indian Ocean.

In a statement issued by the Al-Qaida associated group, the militants allegedly conducted the raid early morning on Sunday.

Attack allegedly destroyed military equipment

Sunday is not a working day in Kenya and is deemed to be ideal by the militants to conduct such raids. Manda is found in Lamu County.

Al-Shabaab claimed: "In the early morning on Sunday, an elite group of soldiers from Harakat Al-Shabaab launched a daring dawn raid at a US Naval base known as Camp Simba."

The militants also claimed that both Kenya and the US suffered heavy casualties during the raid, which comes a day after the US killed a top Iranian commander.

However, Al-Shabaab did not confirm the alleged numbers of soldiers affected during the "successful raid" that targeted Americans.

"Fighters covertly entered the enemy lines, successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and have now effectively taken control, inflicting casualties on both American and Kenyan troops," read the statement.

Kenya and the US yet to confirm

Photos captured purportedly from the scene shows heavy black smoke emanating from the Naval base in the coastal town of Manda.

The Island is synonymous with tourists especially from the West due to ancient scenes and rich historical artifacts that date back the colonial times.

Both the US and Kenya are yet to release any statement with regard to the purported attack. Garowe Online could not independently verify the attack either.

Security beefed up in Nairobi

On Saturday, security was beefed up in Nairobi specifically in buildings associated with Americans following the standoff with Iran.

Security sources told Garowe Online that "we have been instructed to guard the US embassy and all associated buildings to curb possible attacks".

After the assassination of Gen Qassem Soleimani, Iran threatened an act of "crushing revenge" on Friday, although it did not specify how to do it.

Defiant Trump dares terrorists

President Donald Trump insisted that his death was "long overdue and it signifies the end of the war". He said America will protect her citizens worldwide.

Should the attack be verified by some forces, it will be the second targeting America. In 1998, at least 214 people were killed in Nairobi at the American embassy by Al-Qaida.

In October 2019, the Al-Shabaab attacked a US base at Ballidogle in Somalia, although the troops were able to foil the attack.

Previously, the militants have also attacked KDF bases in Somalia killing dozens of troops. Kulbiyow and El Adde remain the most notable ones.

GAROWE ONLINE