Updated Jan 5, 2020

3 Americans killed in al-Shabab attack on military base used by U.S. and Kenya

Rebecca Falconer

A map of Kenya — Photo: Google Maps screenshot

Three Americans were killed in an attack by terrorist group al-Shabab Sunday morning on a military base in Kenya's Lamu County used by American and Kenyan military personnel, U.S. Africa Command confirmed in a statement Sunday.

The big picture: One U.S. service member and two Defense Department contractors were killed, while another two Defense Department members were injured but are "currently in stable condition and being evacuated," per the statement. Al-Shabab is affiliated with al-Qaeda.

The Kenya Defence Forces said in a statement earlier Sunday that the Manda Bay Airfield was deemed safe after the "attempted breach" was "successfully repulsed."
The Kenyan military said later five bodies of the "neutralised terrorists" were recovered, along with munitions including four rocket launchers and a hand grenade.

Go deeper: Don't forget al-Qaeda

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details about the Americans killed, recovered Al Shabab members' bodies and the munitions seizure.

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3 Americans killed in al-Shabab attack on military base used by U.S. and Kenya

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