Militant group behind mall takeover attack Kenyan border town

The same extremist group that took over a Nairobi mall attacked a security post near the Somali border Thursday and killed two police officers, while promising the violence would continue until Kenyan troops were withdrawn from Somalia.

The leader of the Somalia-based al-Shabab, Ahmed Godane Shaykh Mukhtar Abu Zubayr, warned the Kenyan public there was no way they could “withstand a war of attrition inside your own country,” in a new statement posted on the Internet late Wednesday.

“Make your choice today and withdraw all your forces,...” Godane said. “Otherwise be prepared for an abundance of blood that will be spilt in your country, economic downfall and displacement.”

The early morning attack on the town of Mandera was the second by al-Shabab militants following the bloody four-day standoff at the Westgate Mall that ended Tuesday in which at least 67 people were killed.

Regional police chief Charlton Mureithi said in addition to the two police officers killed, three others were injured and 11 vehicles destroyed in Mandera.

Wednesday night, militants attacked the border town of Wajir. One person was killed and four wounded after a gunman opened fire and threw grenades.

Such attacks occur regularly but have taken on new significance following the Westgate Mall attack. - theglobeandmail

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