This archive report was first published on 5 January 2020.
Published on January 5, 2020, the US military has disputed Al-Shabaab's report on the Sunday attack at Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu County, saying the terror group's statement was exaggerated.
Manda Bay is a key location where US forces provide training and counter-terrorism support to East African partners.
Following the ambush at dawn, Al-Shabaab issued a statement claiming there were 'severe casualties on both Kenyan and American troops stationed there.'
However, the US Africa Command, Africom, dismissed the group's statement, saying it was distorted to create a false impression.
'Al-Shabaab resorts to lies, coercion, and the exertion of force to bolster their reputation and create false headlines,' said Maj. Gen. William Gayler, US Africa Command's Director of Operations.
Despite Al-Shabaab's claims, Africom noted that the airfield had been cleared and was being secured.
The security situation at Manda Bay remains fluid, with Al-Shabaab being a terrorist group that has repeatedly communicated an intent to attack US interests.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) also issued a statement, saying the attackers were successfully repulsed and that four bodies of Al-Shabaab fighters were found.
