Mandera bus attack: 28 bus passengers killed by Al Shabaab

Several gunmen hijacked a bus on Saturday morning near Mandera and killed at least 28 passengers. The bus was on its way to Nairobi when the militants forced the bus to stop near Mandera town, before shooting the passengers. There are reports that non Muslims were singled out and killed

Somali’s militia group Al shabaab has since claimed responsibility of the deadly Mandera bus attack and issued a stern warning to the Kenyan government. Kenyan authorities had also issued a statement blaming the attack on Al Shabaab. From interviews carried in the area, eye witnesses said the gunmen identified themselves to the passengers and said that they were Al Shabaab. They later escaped in to Somalia.

After the Mandera bus attack, inspector general of police, David Kimaiyo ordered that all public transport vehicles heading to or leaving Mandera be given security escorts

The same group has been blamed for several attacks that have been carried out in the same area. They have also hijacked civilian vehicles on several occasions.

Al Shabaab’s statement after Mandera bus attack:

Mogadishu (22/11/2014) in the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful:

The hearts of Muslims all over have been left in anguish in light of events in recent days which affected our brethren in Mombasa, from the desecration of mosques, killings, arrests and other violitions of sanctities and rights. As a response we, Harakat Al-Shabaab Al-Mujahideen, resolved not to leave these crimes unresolved

Thus, by grace of Allah, the Mujahideen succesfully carried out an operation near Mandera early this morning, which resulted in the perishing of 28 crusaders, as revenge for the crimes commited by the Kenyan crusaders against our Muslim brethren in Mombasa

To our Muslim brethren in Kenya and Mombasa in particular, we are not heedless of your suferings at the hands of the crusaders, we are commited to avenge you, an eye for an eye, we vow that your blood will not go in vain, and by Allah’s permission you won’t stand alone in the defense of your religion, sanctities and lives

A sfor the Kenyan crusaders, you are fighting a loosing battle against Islam, you have previously tasted bitter reactions of your crusade campaign, and just as we have warned you before, we reiterate to you that you will have no safety until you cease your hostilities against Muslims. The choice is in your hands

Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage,
Official Spokesman for Harakat Al-shabaab Al-Mujahideen