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| Shots and Explosions Heard as Kenya Presses Assault Against Militants in Mall | Shots and Explosions Heard as Kenya Presses Assault Against Militants in Mall |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| NAIROBI, Kenya — The standoff at a luxury mall in Nairobi, which the Kenyan authorities vowed would end on Sunday night, entered a third day Monday morning heralded by volleys of gunfire and the boom of unexplained explosions echoing from the besieged shopping center. | |
| Seeking to end an assault that has left scores dead and shaken the nation, the Kenyan government said it was pressing a counterattack against Shabab militant attackers who had been holed up in the mall since Saturday. The Kenyan military announced on Sunday that it had retaken “most” of the complex of stores and cafes, but, by early Monday, government forces appeared to have found it more difficult to dislodge the attackers than expected. | |
| The attackers have been confined to the third floor of the complex since their initial assault on Saturday. Security forces freed most of the hostages over the weekend, though details could not be confirmed. Helicopters circled the mall building through the night as heavy rain pelted the city. | |
| “Most areas of the building are now in the control of K.D.F.,” said Col. Cyrus Oguna, referring to the Kenya Defense Forces. He told the television station KTN that most of the hostages taken by the militants had been rescued. “We know the number cannot be more than 10 right now.” | “Most areas of the building are now in the control of K.D.F.,” said Col. Cyrus Oguna, referring to the Kenya Defense Forces. He told the television station KTN that most of the hostages taken by the militants had been rescued. “We know the number cannot be more than 10 right now.” |
| The Shabab, a militant group based mostly in neighboring Somalia, warned on Twitter that “Kenyan forces who’ve just attempted a roof landing must know that they are jeopardizing the lives of all the hostages at #Westgate.” Another Web posting, quoted by Reuters and ascribed to the militants, threatened to kill the remaining hostages if force was used against them. | |
| Officials said that at least four members of the security forces had been wounded. But there were no other details about additional casualties on either side. | |
| The attack on the mall deeply distressed Kenya, a nation that has grown in stature as a force against terrorism in East Africa. As the toll mounted — at least 68 were reported dead by late Sunday, with some people still unaccounted for — the potential for even greater loss of life seemed tangible. | The attack on the mall deeply distressed Kenya, a nation that has grown in stature as a force against terrorism in East Africa. As the toll mounted — at least 68 were reported dead by late Sunday, with some people still unaccounted for — the potential for even greater loss of life seemed tangible. |
| On Monday, reflecting the breadth of the crisis, judges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague took the unusual step of suspending for one week the trial of Kenya’s deputy president, William Ruto, on charges of crimes against humanity so that he could return home to assist in the government’s response. | |
| Mr. Ruto has pleaded not guilty to three charges relating to the violence that rocked the country after the disputed 2007 election. | Mr. Ruto has pleaded not guilty to three charges relating to the violence that rocked the country after the disputed 2007 election. |
| Addressing the nation, President Uhuru Kenyatta sounded a note of solidarity in loss, revealing that his nephew and the man’s fiancée were among the dead. “These are young, lovely people I personally knew and loved,” Mr. Kenyatta said. “Many of us have lost loved ones. Let us mourn them all as one nation and keep them always in remembrance and prayer.” | Addressing the nation, President Uhuru Kenyatta sounded a note of solidarity in loss, revealing that his nephew and the man’s fiancée were among the dead. “These are young, lovely people I personally knew and loved,” Mr. Kenyatta said. “Many of us have lost loved ones. Let us mourn them all as one nation and keep them always in remembrance and prayer.” |
| He said security forces had rescued more than 1,000 people from the mall since the violence began on Saturday, calling the forces’ performance “remarkable and encouraging,” even as he asked for patience from the public as the standoff continued. | He said security forces had rescued more than 1,000 people from the mall since the violence began on Saturday, calling the forces’ performance “remarkable and encouraging,” even as he asked for patience from the public as the standoff continued. |
| The assault on Westgate was the deadliest terrorist attack in Kenya since the 1998 Qaeda truck bombing of the American Embassy in Nairobi that killed more than 200 people. | The assault on Westgate was the deadliest terrorist attack in Kenya since the 1998 Qaeda truck bombing of the American Embassy in Nairobi that killed more than 200 people. |
| President Obama called Mr. Kenyatta on Sunday to reaffirm the “strong and historic partnership between the United States and Kenya.” That relationship has been strained by the election in March of Mr. Kenyatta, who is being prosecuted at the International Criminal Court on charges of financing death squads during the 2007 political violence. Mr. Obama skipped visiting Kenya, his father’s birthplace, on his trip to Africa in late June. | President Obama called Mr. Kenyatta on Sunday to reaffirm the “strong and historic partnership between the United States and Kenya.” That relationship has been strained by the election in March of Mr. Kenyatta, who is being prosecuted at the International Criminal Court on charges of financing death squads during the 2007 political violence. Mr. Obama skipped visiting Kenya, his father’s birthplace, on his trip to Africa in late June. |
| The Shabab have said that they staged the mall attack as retribution for the Kenyan military presence in Somalia, where Kenyan troops have driven Shabab fighters out of much of the territory they once controlled. A confidential United Nations security report described the assault on the mall as two-pronged, with groups of gunmen attacking on different floors simultaneously. | The Shabab have said that they staged the mall attack as retribution for the Kenyan military presence in Somalia, where Kenyan troops have driven Shabab fighters out of much of the territory they once controlled. A confidential United Nations security report described the assault on the mall as two-pronged, with groups of gunmen attacking on different floors simultaneously. |
| Joseph Ole Lenku, the cabinet secretary for the interior, said Sunday afternoon that between 10 and 15 attackers were inside the mall. Mr. Kenyatta said he could neither confirm nor deny reports that one or more of the attackers were women. The Shabab claimed in a Twitter post that several of the attackers were Americans; a senior law enforcement official in the United States said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had yet to establish whether that claim was true, and that it would be difficult to do so until all the attackers were captured or killed. | Joseph Ole Lenku, the cabinet secretary for the interior, said Sunday afternoon that between 10 and 15 attackers were inside the mall. Mr. Kenyatta said he could neither confirm nor deny reports that one or more of the attackers were women. The Shabab claimed in a Twitter post that several of the attackers were Americans; a senior law enforcement official in the United States said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had yet to establish whether that claim was true, and that it would be difficult to do so until all the attackers were captured or killed. |
| The number of bystanders remaining in the building was not as clear, though the Kenya Red Cross, citing the police as its source, said Sunday that 49 people were unaccounted for, raising the prospect of a significantly higher death toll before the crisis ends. | The number of bystanders remaining in the building was not as clear, though the Kenya Red Cross, citing the police as its source, said Sunday that 49 people were unaccounted for, raising the prospect of a significantly higher death toll before the crisis ends. |
| The American official said that the F.B.I. had offered assistance to the Kenyan authorities and that F.B.I. agents were at the Kenyan command post at the scene. There were reports that Israelis were supporting the Kenyan authorities as well; a spokeswoman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry said she could not comment. The secretary general of Interpol, Ronald K. Noble, said in a statement that his agency had offered to send a response team, including forensic and counterterrorism experts. | The American official said that the F.B.I. had offered assistance to the Kenyan authorities and that F.B.I. agents were at the Kenyan command post at the scene. There were reports that Israelis were supporting the Kenyan authorities as well; a spokeswoman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry said she could not comment. The secretary general of Interpol, Ronald K. Noble, said in a statement that his agency had offered to send a response team, including forensic and counterterrorism experts. |
| Mr. Kenyatta said that he had received “numerous offers of assistance from friendly countries; for the time being, however, this remains an operation of the Kenyan security agencies.” | Mr. Kenyatta said that he had received “numerous offers of assistance from friendly countries; for the time being, however, this remains an operation of the Kenyan security agencies.” |
| Among those killed in the mall were three Britons, the British Foreign Office confirmed Sunday, and Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday that he was cutting short a visit to Scotland and returning to London to head a meeting of the so-called Cobra committee of senior ministers and security officials. | Among those killed in the mall were three Britons, the British Foreign Office confirmed Sunday, and Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday that he was cutting short a visit to Scotland and returning to London to head a meeting of the so-called Cobra committee of senior ministers and security officials. |
| Five Americans were among the wounded, but none were known to have been killed. News agencies reported that other foreigners were also among the dead. | Five Americans were among the wounded, but none were known to have been killed. News agencies reported that other foreigners were also among the dead. |
| As the identities of victims began to emerge on Sunday, the public mourning of a national tragedy began. | As the identities of victims began to emerge on Sunday, the public mourning of a national tragedy began. |
| One of those killed was Ruhila Adatia-Sood, a popular Kenyan radio host who was in the parking lot of the mall hosting a cooking competition, according to reports. She posted several photos on her Instagram account before the attack. | One of those killed was Ruhila Adatia-Sood, a popular Kenyan radio host who was in the parking lot of the mall hosting a cooking competition, according to reports. She posted several photos on her Instagram account before the attack. |
| Also among the dead was Kofi Awoonor, 78, a Ghanaian poet and former professor at the University of Ghana. | Also among the dead was Kofi Awoonor, 78, a Ghanaian poet and former professor at the University of Ghana. |
| Hundreds of relatives and friends of people who were in the mall went to hospitals around the city that were treating the wounded, trying to ascertain the fate of their loved ones. | Hundreds of relatives and friends of people who were in the mall went to hospitals around the city that were treating the wounded, trying to ascertain the fate of their loved ones. |
| At the M P Shah Hospital a few miles away from the mall, distressed relatives milled around a tent erected for them outside the building, as volunteers worked to assist them. | At the M P Shah Hospital a few miles away from the mall, distressed relatives milled around a tent erected for them outside the building, as volunteers worked to assist them. |
| Ruth Nyambura, 26, whose uncle was working at the Nakumatt Supermarket in Westgate at the time of the attack, said she was terrified. | Ruth Nyambura, 26, whose uncle was working at the Nakumatt Supermarket in Westgate at the time of the attack, said she was terrified. |
| “I have come along with my family just to find out how he’s doing,” Ms. Nyambura said. “He was shot in the head, suffered severe wounds on his one of his eyes and his arms. He was operated on yesterday, and we''ve come to see him again. We are being told to wait because the queue is too long.” | “I have come along with my family just to find out how he’s doing,” Ms. Nyambura said. “He was shot in the head, suffered severe wounds on his one of his eyes and his arms. He was operated on yesterday, and we''ve come to see him again. We are being told to wait because the queue is too long.” |
| Kenya’s political class, often starkly divided, has demonstrated unity since the attack. Raila Odinga, a former prime minister and a political opponent of Mr. Kenyatta, joined him in an appearance at the State House on Sunday. | Kenya’s political class, often starkly divided, has demonstrated unity since the attack. Raila Odinga, a former prime minister and a political opponent of Mr. Kenyatta, joined him in an appearance at the State House on Sunday. |
| “This is a trying moment for our country,” Mr. Odinga said. “It is something that has hit at the very heart of our country''s unity. Our people must come together at times like this to help each other.” | “This is a trying moment for our country,” Mr. Odinga said. “It is something that has hit at the very heart of our country''s unity. Our people must come together at times like this to help each other.” |
| In his address on Sunday, Mr. Kenyatta, too, appealed for unity. “We have ashamed and defeated our attackers,” he said. “Let us continue to wage a relentless moral war as our forces conduct a physical battle. We shall triumph.” | In his address on Sunday, Mr. Kenyatta, too, appealed for unity. “We have ashamed and defeated our attackers,” he said. “Let us continue to wage a relentless moral war as our forces conduct a physical battle. We shall triumph.” |
Reporting was contributed by Reuben Kyama, Jeffrey Gettleman and Tyler Hicks from Nairobi; Jodi Rudoren from Jerusalem; Mark Mazzetti from Washington; Mohammed Ibrahim from Mogadishu, Somalia; William K. Rashbaum from New York; and Alan Cowell from London. | Reporting was contributed by Reuben Kyama, Jeffrey Gettleman and Tyler Hicks from Nairobi; Jodi Rudoren from Jerusalem; Mark Mazzetti from Washington; Mohammed Ibrahim from Mogadishu, Somalia; William K. Rashbaum from New York; and Alan Cowell from London. |