[Kenya\Al-Shabaab\ Manda Bay Airfield Attack]
Rep. Karen Bass: “This attack by Al-Shabaab is a reminder that the United States should continue robust engagement throughout Africa, embrace and include international cooperation, and support African countries in the battle against this type of armed threat.”
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On Sunday, Al-Shabaab extremists attacked a military base at Manda Bay Airfield, in Kenya, that is used by the American military killing three U.S. Department of Defense employees.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida affiliate, based in the neighboring country of Somalia, claimed they had killed 17 U.S. servicemen and nine Kenyan soldiers. The U.S. African Command, which has a working relationship with the Kenyan Government, disputed Al-Shabaab claims. Five Al-Shabaab members were reportedly killed.
A year ago, on January 15-16, Al-Shabaab killed 21 people at the 14 Riverside drive complex, in Nairobi, Kenya. On April 2, 2015, they were involved in the Garissa University mass shooting that left 148 people dead. On September 21, 2013, an Al-Shabaab attack at the Westgate Shopping mall in Nairobi resulted in 71 deaths.
Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement in response to the attack by Al-Shabaab.
“This attack by Al-Shabaab is a reminder that the United States should continue robust engagement throughout Africa, embrace and include international cooperation, and support African countries in the battle against this type of armed threat.
“My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives. I also wish those injured a speedy recovery. The U.S. must remain engaged and maintain a robust foreign policy across Africa in order to support African partners and address the root causes of violent extremism.”
Representative Eliot L. Engel, (D-NY) Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, also condemned the attack saying:
“I strongly condemn the recent attack on Manda Bay Airfield, which resulted in the tragic death of one U.S. service member and two Department of Defense contractors. This attack on Manda Bay, which is used by Kenyan Defence Forces & the U.S. military to counter-terrorism in the region, comes on the heels of al-Shabaab’s unsuccessful attack on the U.S. base in Balagogle, Somalia last year. Although this attack shows a clear intent to continue targeting the United States’ presence in the region, the United States continues to stand in strong partnership with Kenya.”
