US Army Dismisses Al-Shabaab’s Account on Lamu Attack

The US military command for Africa (AFRICOM) has dismissed al-Shabaab’s claims that they attacked Camp Simba military base which hosts soldiers from both Kenya and the US.

In a statement on Sunday, the armed group claimed that it raided the army base in Lamu County and that there were “several casualties on both Kenyan and American troops stationed there.”

“The Mujahideen fighters covertly entered enemy lines, successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and have now taken effective control of a part of the base,” part of the statement by al-Shabaab read.

But Africom said the militants attacked Manda Airstrip located next to the military base, adding that al-Shabaab’s report was exaggerated to create the wrong impression.

“"Al-Shabaab has put out multiple press releases exaggerating the security situation on the ground. This practice has proven commonplace for this terror organization. Al-Shabaab resorts to lies, coercion, and the exertion of force to bolster their reputation to create false headlines,” said Maj. Gen. William Gayler, US Africa Command’s Director of Operations.

“The security situation at Manda Bay is fluid. Al-Shabaab is a terrorist group that has repeatedly communicated intent to attack US interests. It is important to counter Al-Shabaab where they stand to prevent the spread of this cancer.”

Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) Spokesman Paul Njuguna said the attackers were successfully repulsed and four of them were killed.

"The attempted breach was successfully repulsed. Four terrorists' bodies have so far been found. The airstrip is safe,” Njuguna said in a communique.

Five suspects have since been arrested in connection with the attack that happened at around 5.30 am.