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Islamists attack Kenyan coastal town, kill 48

The attack was carried out by suspected militants from al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliated group from Somalia

Al-Shabaab militants on Kenya (archive) AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh

Al-Shabaab militants on Kenya (archive)

© AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh

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African Union forces advance on al-Shabaab positions in Somalia

PRETORIA, June 16. /ITAR-TASS/. At least 48 people have died after terrorists attacked Kenya’s coastal town of Mpeketoni, the regional Red Cross branch reported on Monday.

On Sunday, the town on the Indian Ocean coast was attacked by suspected militants from al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliated group from Somalia. Around 50 gunmen assaulted various locations across the town. Several buildings have been destroyed, including government offices, hotels, restaurants, and banks. The terrorists also tried to seize a police station and its weapons caches, but their attack was repelled.

Earlier, al-Shabaab repeatedly threatened to attack the US, Kenya and Uganda. One of the group’s senior commanders Fuad Shangole said al-Shabaab would carry its jihad to Kenya, Uganda, “and afterward, with God’s will, to America.”

Kenya and Uganda sent troops to Somalia to fight al-Shabaab Islamists. In September 2013, the group orchestrated a terrorist attack on Westgate mall in Kenya’s Nairobi, killing 68 people. In 2012, al-Shabaab staged suicide bombings in Uganda’s capital Kampala, which were carried out against crowds watching a screening of 2010 FIFA World Cup Final match. The attacks left 70 people dead.

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East Africa Al-Qaeda

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West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

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Russia interested in security of Baltic undersea infrastructure — embassy in Denmark

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Russian troops raise flag in central Kurakhovo in Donetsk region — politician

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Media from unfriendly states will be admitted to Putin's annual press conference — Kremlin

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Soyuz rocket carrying Progress MS-29 cargo spaceship blasts off from Baikonur spaceport

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Press review: Uranium costs soar as Moscow updates nuclear doctrine and US OKs attacks

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Russia to hold informal UN Security Council meeting on unilateral restrictions

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