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Al-Shabab 'kills Christians' in Kenya's Mandera town | Al-Shabab 'kills Christians' in Kenya's Mandera town |
(35 minutes later) | |
Militant Islamist group al-Shabab says it has killed six Christians in north-eastern Kenya in an attack aimed at forcing them out of the region. | Militant Islamist group al-Shabab says it has killed six Christians in north-eastern Kenya in an attack aimed at forcing them out of the region. |
The grenade and gun attack was launched on a residential block in Mandera town when people were sleeping, police said. | |
It was the latest in a spate of deadly attacks targeting Christians in the mainly Muslim region. | It was the latest in a spate of deadly attacks targeting Christians in the mainly Muslim region. |
In December 2014, al-Shabab killed 38 non-Muslims at a quarry after separating them from Muslim workers. | In December 2014, al-Shabab killed 38 non-Muslims at a quarry after separating them from Muslim workers. |
A few months earlier, 28 people were killed after Muslim passengers were split up from the other passengers. | A few months earlier, 28 people were killed after Muslim passengers were split up from the other passengers. |
When al-Shabab killed 148 people in an attack on Kenya's north-eastern Garissa University College in April 2015, the militants reportedly singled out Christians and shot them, while freeing many Muslims. | When al-Shabab killed 148 people in an attack on Kenya's north-eastern Garissa University College in April 2015, the militants reportedly singled out Christians and shot them, while freeing many Muslims. |
The latest raid took place in the early hours of Thursday in an area popular with people who came from outside Mandera town, reports the BBC's Ferdinand Omondi from Kenya. | The latest raid took place in the early hours of Thursday in an area popular with people who came from outside Mandera town, reports the BBC's Ferdinand Omondi from Kenya. |
The attack happened as "planned" and was aimed at Christians in Mandera town, a radio station run by al-Shabab has reported. | The attack happened as "planned" and was aimed at Christians in Mandera town, a radio station run by al-Shabab has reported. |
The group wanted non-Muslims to leave what it regarded as Muslim areas, a spokesman told the BBC. | The group wanted non-Muslims to leave what it regarded as Muslim areas, a spokesman told the BBC. |
Mandera County Governor Ali Roba confirmed that six people had been killed and one seriously wounded in the raid on a public works site in the town. | Mandera County Governor Ali Roba confirmed that six people had been killed and one seriously wounded in the raid on a public works site in the town. |
Security forces responded quickly, managing to save 27 other people, he added in a tweet. | Security forces responded quickly, managing to save 27 other people, he added in a tweet. |
Mr Roba did not disclose the religious affiliation of those targeted. | Mr Roba did not disclose the religious affiliation of those targeted. |
"We grieve with our families... Sadly, six lives are too many to loose," he said. | "We grieve with our families... Sadly, six lives are too many to loose," he said. |
Al-Shabab is headquartered in Somalia and is affiliated to al-Qaeda. | Al-Shabab is headquartered in Somalia and is affiliated to al-Qaeda. |
The militants have been at war with Kenya ever since Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 2011 in an effort to crush them. | The militants have been at war with Kenya ever since Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 2011 in an effort to crush them. |
Kenyan troops are now part of the African Union mission in Somalia fighting the group. | Kenyan troops are now part of the African Union mission in Somalia fighting the group. |