Al-Shabab claims responsibility for Nairobi hotel attack

From CGTN Africa

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett has called for calm as police work to contain the situation, at the same time appealing for any information that might be useful to the investigation.

“We regret to confirm that at around 3pm today, a group of armed assailants attacked the Dusit complex in a suspected terror attack… the situation is being managed and residents are being screened and evacuated from the area,” he said,

Gunfire continued several minutes after the first reports as ambulances, security forces and firefighters rushed to the scene. Black smoke rose from the complex. A bomb disposal unit arrived, and vehicles were cordoned off for fear they contained explosives.

Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab has already claimed responsibility.

CGTN’s Jane Kiyo said the first responders to the scene were from the Australian High Commission, which stands just a few hundred metres away from the venue. They were later joined by the Recce Squad, a specialised anti-terror police force.

Officers from the bomb squad and sniffer dogs are combing the building complex, and army officers have cordoned off the area.

The complex, which also houses several office buildings is not far from the Westgate Shopping Mall, where more than 71 people died after four armed gunmen took siege in 2013.  Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for that attack as well. On Monday a magistrate judge in Kenya ruled three of the suspects arrested and charged in the attack must face trial.