The operation to rescue hostages held by extremists in a college dormitory in Kenya has ended with the deaths of four “terrorists” involved as the death toll in today’s attack rose to 147 people, Kenyan officials said.
The al Qaeda-affiliated terror group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the assault earlier today. In addition to the four purportedly killed, Kenyan authorities said another suspect was taken into custody.
The attack began at about 5:30 a.m. local time today at Garissa University College, which is located near the country’s border with Somalia. The violence occurred as students were preparing for their morning prayers.
An unidentified student, recounting the attack to Kenya’s Citizen TV, said the chaos sent innocent citizens running into harm’s way.
“Guys started jumping up and down, running for their lives, but it’s unfortunate that where they were going to is where the gunshots were coming from,” the student said.
The gunmen allegedly killed scores before they were cornered, with dozens of other hostages, in a dormitory by Kenyan authorities. read more
