Kenyan Capital Braces for Possible al Shabaab Attacks: Sources

[Photo credit:  Drifter Media© archives (Afghanistan)]

DATELINE AT LARGE (DM) -- Somali-based al Shabaab rebels and/or sympathisers are planning an attack, or attacks, in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, in the coming days, according to sources who attended an emergency meeting on Monday called by the U.S. Foreign Service.  (Those sources are not named here and are being protected by Drifter Media as they were not authorised to communicate with the media.)

One Drifter Media source said that security officials with the U.S., French, British and Canadian embassies in Nairobi, along with United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) personnel, are on high alert for potential vehicle-borne (VBIED), suicide-style bombing attacks by al Shabaab against both "local and Western targets" in Nairobi.

The U.S. Embassy is listed as a prime target.  Other targets include the compounds for the UN's DSS- and World Food Program-Somalia offices, located on the same block as the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi's Gigiri district, which is frequented by Western diplomats and aid workers.  It is also a heavily-trafficked thoroughfare for both pedestrians and vehicles.  (Get more info here about the U.S. Embassy bombing attack in Nairobi on August 7, 1998 that killed 213 people.  A simultaneous bombing occured in the Tanzanian capital that day, killing another 78.)

[Photo credit: Provided to Drifter Media's 'Intelligence Unit' by anonymous source working in Somalia ... al Shabaab members pray at an open-air gathering in Mogadishu several weeks ago.]

Also listed on the al Shabaab-Nairobi targets list is the headquarters for Kenyan police and security forces.  Drifter Media has agreed not to hyperlink that location here in cooperation with the news tipsters.

In the emergency meeting in Nairobi, the sources said three vehicles have been rented by suspects currently under Western intelligence and Kenyan police surveillance.

Below is the leaked report (cut and pasted) from Monday's emergency meeting in Nairobi.  (FYI -- it is riddled with grammatical errors):
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US Intel, Restricted

Desemination on approval only

Not for release

No Copy No open line coms

As of November 15, 10-12 individuls associated with Al Shabaab (see Somalia files), planning on carrying out attacks in Nairobi Kenya against local and westren targets. Targets include US. Embassy, United Nations operations relating to Somalia (DSS and WFP secificly named,) and Headquarters for unidentified Kenyan police and security forces. Attacks will be of Suicide in nature, three vehicals have been rented by suspects under watch. Attack is thought to be of VBIED in nature.

Capability: Insurgent forces have received extensive help from foreign personal. Results are inconsistant. Bombings in Hargysa and Bosasso a year ago showed a relitivly complex bomb signature, recent attacks on AMISOM in Mog, showed a simpile design relying on presure build up with in the armored vehicals for maximum effect. Bombers have included personal with US passports, however their role so far is beleived to be in delivery and not in construction. (see memorandom concerning Somali diaspora dated 12/1/09)

Credibility is considered high as person under survailance by local forces, and ellude said forces and are their whereabouts is no longer known.
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