NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A witness to the attacks at Nairobi's upscale mall says that gunmen told Muslims to stand up and leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted.
Elijah Kamau said Saturday that attackers with AK-47s and grenades made the statement about Muslims as they began their attack at the Westgate shopping mall in Kenya's capital around midday.
Gunmen threw grenades and opened fire during the attack.
A soldier moves to take up a position outside an upscale shopping mall, seen background, in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday Sept. 21 2013, where shooting erupted when armed men attempted to rob a shop, according to police. Witnesses say a half dozen grenades also went off along with lobbies of gunfire that started at midday. (AP Photo/ Jason Straziuso)
Associated Press reporters at the scene said they saw about 10 dead bodies and dozens wounded more than two hours after the attack began. Officials did not yet give an official death toll.
Somali's rebel group al-Shabab vowed in late 2011 to carry out a large-scale attack in Nairobi in retaliation for Kenya's sending of troops into Somalia to fight the Islamic insurgents.
