Al-Shabaab attack on US Naval Base in Lamu early this month was aided by Kenyans, US Africa Command has said, in a move that could force Kenya to reevaluate her strategy in counterterrorism.
The militants, top US military officials say, crossed over from Somalia with assistance from their facilitators in Kenya, before unleashing on the highly guarded base.
One US serviceman and two American contractors died in the fatal attack, which also left sophisticated military equipment destroyed, AFRICOM said.
In the process, the US military and Kenya Defense Forces killed five attackers besides recovering deadly arsenals from the militants, KDF said.
Brig. Gen. Gregory Hadfield, AFRICOM deputy director of intelligence, on Thursday, said the US has strong evidence linking local networks to the attack.
“We assess that these are al-Shabab coming out of Somalia, but with the support of Kenyan facilitators and potential Kenyan aspirants of al-Shabab."
Further, the intelligence officer added that those who survived the attack are making their way back to Somalia using local networks, reports Military Times.
“We also assess that after the attack, they’re continuing to make their way back into Somalia as well,” he added.
In a statement, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, warning that it would continue bombarding the US and allies for "occupying Muslim lands".
The Somalia-based militants also accused AFRICOM of "misleading" the public on casualties, claiming that over 17 US troops died.
During the attack, Al-Shabaab argued, seven American aircrafts used for surveillance were dismembered, warning that "it is not yet over".
Al-Shabaab said that "we shall continue attacking Kenya and the US until they withdraw their troops from Somalia. We shall target tourists."