The County Commissioner of Lamu, Macharia Irungu, has confirmed that several suspects have been arrested following the attempted terrorist attack by al-Shabaab militants on Manda Bay airfield early this morning. The suspects are said to have been found with crude weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). A source within the Kenyan forces has said that there were no fatalities suffered save for 4 Al-Shabaab militants.
The U.S. Africa Command have released a statement assuring Kenyans that the airfield has been cleared in a joint operation alongside Kenyan forces. According to the statement, the airstrip is currently being secured. The Africa-based U.S. security entity has also denounced the statement put out by Al-Shabaab earlier today, claiming victory and the fatalities as a host of untruths.
“Al-Shabaab resorts to lies, coercion and the exertion of force to bolster their reputation to create false headlines. It is important to counter Al-Shabaab where they stand to prevent the spread of this cancer,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Gaylor, the U.S. Africa Command director of operations.
The U.S. Africa Command uses Camp Simba, a joint base close to the airfield to provide training and counter-terrorism support to the East African region.
