Al-Shabab militants kill 147 at university in Kenya

[webfact]

Al-Shabab militants kill 147 at university in Kenya
By TOM ODULA, RODNEY MUHUMUZA and KHALIL SENOSI

GARISSA, Kenya (AP) — Al-Shabab gunmen rampaged through a university in northeastern Kenya at dawn Thursday, killing 147 people in the group's deadliest attack in the East African country. Four militants were slain by security forces to end the siege just after dusk.

The masked attackers — strapped with explosives and armed with AK-47s — singled out non-Muslim students at Garissa University College and then gunned them down without mercy, survivors said. Others ran for their lives with bullets whistling through the air.

The men took dozens of hostages in a dormitory for several hours as they battled troops and police before the operation was ended after about 13 hours, witnesses said.

When gunfire from the Kenyan security forces struck the attackers, the militants exploded "like bombs," Interior Minister Joseph Nkaissery said, adding that the shrapnel wounded some of the officers.

Al-Shabab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage said fighters from the Somalia-based extremist group were responsible. The al-Qaida-linked group has been blamed for a series of attacks in Kenya, including the siege at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi in 2013 that killed 67 people, as well as other violence in the north.

Most of the 147 dead were students, but the two security guards, one policeman and one soldier also were killed in the attack, Nkaissery said.

At least 79 people were wounded at the campus 145 kilometers (90 miles) from the Somali border, he said. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was ordered in Garissa and three nearby counties.

One suspected extremist was arrested as he tried to flee, Nkaissery told a news conference in Nairobi.

Police identified a possible mastermind of the attack as Mohammed Mohamud, who is alleged to lead al-Shabab's cross-border raids into Kenya, and they posted a $220,000 bounty for him. Also known by the names Dulyadin and Gamadhere, he was a teacher at an Islamic religious school, or madrassa, and claimed responsibility for a bus attack in Makka, Kenya, in November that killed 28 people.

One of the survivors of Thursday's attack, Collins Wetangula, told The Associated Press he was preparing to take a shower when he heard gunshots coming from Tana dorm, which hosts both men and women, 150 meters (yards) away. The campus has six dorms and at least 887 students, he said.

When he heard the gunshots, he locked himself and three roommates in their room, said Wetangula, who is vice chairman of the university's student union.

"All I could hear were footsteps and gunshots. Nobody was screaming because they thought this would lead the gunmen to know where they are," he said.

He added: "The gunmen were saying, 'Sisi ni al-Shabab,'" — Swahili for "We are al-Shabab."

He heard the attackers arrive at his dormitory, open the doors and ask if the people who had hidden inside were Muslims or Christians.

"If you were a Christian, you were shot on the spot," he said. "With each blast of the gun, I thought I was going to die."

The gunmen then started shooting rapidly, as if exchanging fire, Wetangula said.

"The next thing, we saw people in military uniform through the window of the back of our rooms who identified themselves as the Kenyan military," he said. The soldiers took him and around 20 others to safety.

The attack began about 5:30 a.m., as morning prayers were underway at the university mosque, where worshippers were not attacked, said Augustine Alanga, a 21-year-old student.

At least five heavily armed, masked gunmen opened fire outside his dormitory, turning intense almost immediately and setting off panic, he told the AP by telephone.

The shooting kept some students indoors but scores of others fled through barbed-wire fencing around the campus, with the gunmen firing at them, he said.

"I am just now recovering from the pain as I injured myself while trying to escape, Alanga said. I was running barefoot," Alanga said.

As terrified students streamed out of buildings, arriving police officers took cover. Kenya's National Police Service said a "fierce shootout" ensued as police guarded the dorms.

Three of the dorms were evacuated, with the gunmen holed up in a fourth, the National Disaster Operations Center said, and Kenya Defense Forces surrounded the campus.

"I am saddened to inform the nation that early today, terrorists attacked Garissa University College, killed and wounded several people, and have taken others hostage," President Uhuru Kenyatta said in a speech to the nation while the siege was underway.

The U.S. condemned the attack, with White House spokesman Josh Earnest saying Washington was standing with the people of Kenya, "who will not be intimidated by such cowardly attacks." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned it, reiterating his solidarity with the Kenyans "to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism," his office said.

Michael Bwana, a 20-year-old student, said he and other survivors tried to call their friends trapped in a dormitory, but their phones were switched off — either by their owners to keep them from ringing or by the gunmen who seized them.

"Most of the people still inside there are girls," Bwana said, referring to the dorm where gunmen are believed to be holding an unknown number of captives.

Wetangula, who was rescued by troops, said one soldier instructed a group of students to run and to dive for cover at their command as they ran to safety.

"We started running and bullets were whizzing past our heads, and the soldiers told us to dive," Wetangula said. The soldier told students later that al-Shabab snipers were perched on a three-story dormitory called the Elgon, he said.

Some of the more seriously wounded were flown to Nairobi for treatment, authorities said.

Kenyatta has been under pressure to deal with insecurity caused by a string of attacks by al-Shabab.

In his speech to the country, he said he had directed the police chief to fast-track the training of 10,000 police recruits because Kenya has "suffered unnecessarily due to shortage of security personnel."

Kenya's northern and eastern regions near the Somali border have seen many attacks blamed on al-Shabab. The group has vowed to retaliate against Kenya for dispatching troops to Somalia in 2011 to fight the militants following cross-border attacks.

Last month, al-Shabab claimed responsibility for attacks in Mandera county on the Somali border in which 12 people died. Four of them died in an attack on the convoy of the county's governor.

Police said 312 people have been killed in al-Shabab attacks in Kenya from 2012 to 2014.

Last week, al-Shabab claimed responsibility for a siege at a Mogadishu hotel that left 24 people dead, including six attackers.
___

Odula reported from Nairobi and Muhumuza reported from Kampala, Uganda. Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-04-03

[ezzra]

What can one add to millions of word that have been written about this kind of

mindless, senseless and pointless atrocities and human stuffing being brought

to bare on the innocents? why the Kenyan government doesn't mount an all out

war to wipe out this rag tag army or murderess? who's financing and supporting

the Al Shabab, who's behind them, what the agenda here? many questions

are unanswered, and too many lives are lost for what?

[simple1]

What can one add to millions of word that have been written about this kind of

mindless, senseless and pointless atrocities and human stuffing being brought

to bare on the innocents? why the Kenyan government doesn't mount an all out

war to wipe out this rag tag army or murderess? who's financing and supporting

the Al Shabab, who's behind them, what the agenda here? many questions

are unanswered, and too many lives are lost for what?

Financing methods for Al Shabab are reviewed at the URL below. As we know from arrests in Thailand of security forces members, corruption is a contributing factor for cash flow. In this case an example is sugar smuggling from Somalia into Kenya.

http://www.ibtimes.com/al-shababs-finances-militant-group-gets-funding-local-businesses-sources-abroad-1678894

Al Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic State in Somalia. Kenyan forces have had successes in Somalia taking on Al Shabab. However. there have been many accusations against the Kenyan military of significant human rights abuses that would just aggravate the situtation.

http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/al_shabaab.html

[EyesWideOpen]

Religion of peace ? Don't think so.....

"The masked attackers — strapped with explosives and armed with AK-47s — singled out non-Muslim students at Garissa University College and then gunned them down without mercy, survivors said."

Edited April 3, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[Johnny S]

Kenya has for many years had problems with somalies crossing the border - kenyans hate somalies for a good reason ...

[Friendly Stranger]

I did not know things like this can still shock me. You've succeeded.

[Steely Dan]

What can one add to millions of word that have been written about this kind of

mindless, senseless and pointless atrocities and human stuffing being brought

to bare on the innocents? why the Kenyan government doesn't mount an all out

war to wipe out this rag tag army or murderess? who's financing and supporting

the Al Shabab, who's behind them, what the agenda here? many questions

are unanswered, and too many lives are lost for what?

Financing methods for Al Shabab are reviewed at the URL below. As we know from arrests in Thailand of security forces members, corruption is a contributing factor for cash flow. In this case an example is sugar smuggling from Somalia into Kenya.

http://www.ibtimes.com/al-shababs-finances-militant-group-gets-funding-local-businesses-sources-abroad-1678894

Al Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic State in Somalia. Kenyan forces have had successes in Somalia taking on Al Shabab. However. there have been many accusations against the Kenyan military of significant human rights abuses that would just aggravate the situtation.

http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/al_shabaab.html

As ever if you look hard enough there is always an explanation which excuses the Islamic terrorists. Of course such arguments are for the consumption of western liberals and don't make on iota of difference to the ideology or behavior of said terrorists.

[KunMatt]

What can one add to millions of word that have been written about this kind of

mindless, senseless and pointless atrocities and human stuffing being brought

to bare on the innocents? why the Kenyan government doesn't mount an all out

war to wipe out this rag tag army or murderess? who's financing and supporting

the Al Shabab, who's behind them, what the agenda here? many questions

are unanswered, and too many lives are lost for what?

Financing methods for Al Shabab are reviewed at the URL below. As we know from arrests in Thailand of security forces members, corruption is a contributing factor for cash flow. In this case an example is sugar smuggling from Somalia into Kenya.

http://www.ibtimes.com/al-shababs-finances-militant-group-gets-funding-local-businesses-sources-abroad-1678894

Al Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic State in Somalia. Kenyan forces have had successes in Somalia taking on Al Shabab. However. there have been many accusations against the Kenyan military of significant human rights abuses that would just aggravate the situtation.

http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/al_shabaab.html

As ever if you look hard enough there is always an explanation which excuses the Islamic terrorists. Of course such arguments are for the consumption of western liberals and don't make on iota of difference to the ideology or behavior of said terrorists.

If the last 1400 years have shown us anything it's that the ultimate goal is the same in every country where there are Muslims; to establish Shariah Law and eradicate non-Muslims either by conversion, death or by enslaving them. Any excuses and talk of Islam being a peaceful and merciful religion is a big lie just to further the cause.

[ronrat]

Double the reward with the proviso that when handed in they are missing testicles, eyes or arms.Or at least 2 of each mentioned articles. The morons probably murdered the next generation of economists, Doctors and scientists in the nation.

[Steely Dan]

147 people murdered purely because of their religion, yet you would see infinitely more posts if Israeli soldiers shot dead a solitary terrorist. I can understand the Islam fatigue most people no doubt feel, but until we wake up and take draconian action to stop the death cult of pure evil we are going to get more and more of this, which includes developed world white people.

[simple1]

What can one add to millions of word that have been written about this kind of

mindless, senseless and pointless atrocities and human stuffing being brought

to bare on the innocents? why the Kenyan government doesn't mount an all out

war to wipe out this rag tag army or murderess? who's financing and supporting

the Al Shabab, who's behind them, what the agenda here? many questions

are unanswered, and too many lives are lost for what?

Financing methods for Al Shabab are reviewed at the URL below. As we know from arrests in Thailand of security forces members, corruption is a contributing factor for cash flow. In this case an example is sugar smuggling from Somalia into Kenya.

http://www.ibtimes.com/al-shababs-finances-militant-group-gets-funding-local-businesses-sources-abroad-1678894

Al Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic State in Somalia. Kenyan forces have had successes in Somalia taking on Al Shabab. However. there have been many accusations against the Kenyan military of significant human rights abuses that would just aggravate the situtation.

http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/al_shabaab.html

As ever if you look hard enough there is always an explanation which excuses the Islamic terrorists. Of course such arguments are for the consumption of western liberals and don't make on iota of difference to the ideology or behavior of said terrorists.

Nonsense, I have not provided an excuse for Islamic terrorism. All I'm saying is that to co-opt locals into assisting with the fight against Al Shabab it is not constructive to abuse them & thus create a lack of trust / co-operation. The same issue has been identified by the actions of the Nigerian military in their fight against Boko Haram, Thai security forces in the deep South, Shia militias in Iraq and so on

[JetsetBkk]

Ban all religions.

The U.S. condemned the attack, with White House spokesman Josh Earnest saying Washington was standing with the people of Kenya,

Yes but, no boots on the ground, eh, Obama?

[monkeycountry]

What can one add to millions of word that have been written about this kind of

mindless, senseless and pointless atrocities and human stuffing being brought

to bare on the innocents? why the Kenyan government doesn't mount an all out

war to wipe out this rag tag army or murderess? who's financing and supporting

the Al Shabab, who's behind them, what the agenda here? many questions

are unanswered, and too many lives are lost for what?

Financing methods for Al Shabab are reviewed at the URL below. As we know from arrests in Thailand of security forces members, corruption is a contributing factor for cash flow. In this case an example is sugar smuggling from Somalia into Kenya.

http://www.ibtimes.com/al-shababs-finances-militant-group-gets-funding-local-businesses-sources-abroad-1678894

Al Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic State in Somalia. Kenyan forces have had successes in Somalia taking on Al Shabab. However. there have been many accusations against the Kenyan military of significant human rights abuses that would just aggravate the situtation.

http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/al_shabaab.html

As ever if you look hard enough there is always an explanation which excuses the Islamic terrorists. Of course such arguments are for the consumption of western liberals and don't make on iota of difference to the ideology or behavior of said terrorists.

If the last 1400 years have shown us anything it's that the ultimate goal is the same in every country where there are Muslims; to establish Shariah Law and eradicate non-Muslims either by conversion, death or by enslaving them. Any excuses and talk of Islam being a peaceful and merciful religion is a big lie just to further the cause.

The below is a quote from an article about a survey made among muslims living in western europe I read earlier today:

"According to the study (German and English), which was funded by the German government, two thirds (65%) of the Muslims interviewed say Islamic Sharia law is more important to them than the laws of the country in which they live."

[Steely Dan]

What can one add to millions of word that have been written about this kind of

mindless, senseless and pointless atrocities and human stuffing being brought

to bare on the innocents? why the Kenyan government doesn't mount an all out

war to wipe out this rag tag army or murderess? who's financing and supporting

the Al Shabab, who's behind them, what the agenda here? many questions

are unanswered, and too many lives are lost for what?

Financing methods for Al Shabab are reviewed at the URL below. As we know from arrests in Thailand of security forces members, corruption is a contributing factor for cash flow. In this case an example is sugar smuggling from Somalia into Kenya.

http://www.ibtimes.com/al-shababs-finances-militant-group-gets-funding-local-businesses-sources-abroad-1678894

Al Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic State in Somalia. Kenyan forces have had successes in Somalia taking on Al Shabab. However. there have been many accusations against the Kenyan military of significant human rights abuses that would just aggravate the situtation.

http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/al_shabaab.html

As ever if you look hard enough there is always an explanation which excuses the Islamic terrorists. Of course such arguments are for the consumption of western liberals and don't make on iota of difference to the ideology or behavior of said terrorists.

Nonsense, I have not provided an excuse for Islamic terrorism. All I'm saying is that to co-opt locals into assisting with the fight against Al Shabab it is not constructive to abuse them & thus create a lack of trust / co-operation. The same issue has been identified by the actions of the Nigerian military in their fight against Boko Haram, Thai security forces in the deep South, Shia militias in Iraq and so on

Don't try to kid us that Al Shabab are not aligned with global jihad in both its methods and aims. Despite the press downplaying it they singled out Christians for execution, just as they did in the Nairobi mall in 2013. The attack coincided with Easter, just as Boko Haram targeted churches a couple of years ago. The political aims and tactics used are the same.

http://www.thecommentator.com/article/5732/a_massacre_of_christians_to_ponder_at_easter

Edit: with reference to the post above mine I would add that according to Geert Wilders 73% of Dutch Muslims surveyed thought those traveling to Syria to fight were heroes.

Edited April 3, 2015 by Steely Dan

[englishoak]

Islam thrives where education fails.

Same with all religions, they go for the poor and uneducated and tell them the reason for their woes are god is not happy blah blah blah.

All religions are Parasites on humanity and a method of control.

a pox on all of them... RIP the 147

[simple1]

Financing methods for Al Shabab are reviewed at the URL below. As we know from arrests in Thailand of security forces members, corruption is a contributing factor for cash flow. In this case an example is sugar smuggling from Somalia into Kenya.

http://www.ibtimes.com/al-shababs-finances-militant-group-gets-funding-local-businesses-sources-abroad-1678894

Al Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic State in Somalia. Kenyan forces have had successes in Somalia taking on Al Shabab. However. there have been many accusations against the Kenyan military of significant human rights abuses that would just aggravate the situtation.

http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/al_shabaab.html

As ever if you look hard enough there is always an explanation which excuses the Islamic terrorists. Of course such arguments are for the consumption of western liberals and don't make on iota of difference to the ideology or behavior of said terrorists.

Nonsense, I have not provided an excuse for Islamic terrorism. All I'm saying is that to co-opt locals into assisting with the fight against Al Shabab it is not constructive to abuse them & thus create a lack of trust / co-operation. The same issue has been identified by the actions of the Nigerian military in their fight against Boko Haram, Thai security forces in the deep South, Shia militias in Iraq and so on

Don't try to kid us that Al Shabab are not aligned with global jihad in both its methods and aims. Despite the press downplaying it they singled out Christians for execution, just as they did in the Nairobi mall in 2013. The attack coincided with Easter, just as Boko Haram targeted churches a couple of years ago. The political aims and tactics used are the same.

http://www.thecommentator.com/article/5732/a_massacre_of_christians_to_ponder_at_easter

Edit: with reference to the post above mine I would add that according to Geert Wilders 73% of Dutch Muslims surveyed thought those traveling to Syria to fight were heroes.

I'm fully aware of the nature & actions of Al Shabab. You're making false accusations

[cookee68]

I can see in time that other groups will emerge to do the same to the Muslims, it will happen its just a matter of when, then this world will start to get all <deleted> up. people only see the religion, and not the person

[KunMatt]

If the last 1400 years have shown us anything it's that the ultimate goal is the same in every country where there are Muslims; to establish Shariah Law and eradicate non-Muslims either by conversion, death or by enslaving them. Any excuses and talk of Islam being a peaceful and merciful religion is a big lie just to further the cause.

The below is a quote from an article about a survey made among muslims living in western europe I read earlier today:

"According to the study (German and English), which was funded by the German government, two thirds (65%) of the Muslims interviewed say Islamic Sharia law is more important to them than the laws of the country in which they live."

Only 65%? Here's a quick impartial survey of a room full of "British" Muslims who say that they are moderate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYAcLudBbhg

[simple1]

Ban all religions.

The U.S. condemned the attack, with White House spokesman Josh Earnest saying Washington was standing with the people of Kenya,

Yes but, no boots on the ground, eh, Obama?

Are not the Administration and NATO governments following the wishes of their electorate?

[Steely Dan]

Financing methods for Al Shabab are reviewed at the URL below. As we know from arrests in Thailand of security forces members, corruption is a contributing factor for cash flow. In this case an example is sugar smuggling from Somalia into Kenya.

http://www.ibtimes.com/al-shababs-finances-militant-group-gets-funding-local-businesses-sources-abroad-1678894


Al Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic State in Somalia. Kenyan forces have had successes in Somalia taking on Al Shabab. However. there have been many accusations against the Kenyan military of significant human rights abuses that would just aggravate the situtation.

http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/al_shabaab.html

As ever if you look hard enough there is always an explanation which excuses the Islamic terrorists. Of course such arguments are for the consumption of western liberals and don't make on iota of difference to the ideology or behavior of said terrorists.

Nonsense, I have not provided an excuse for Islamic terrorism. All I'm saying is that to co-opt locals into assisting with the fight against Al Shabab it is not constructive to abuse them & thus create a lack of trust / co-operation. The same issue has been identified by the actions of the Nigerian military in their fight against Boko Haram, Thai security forces in the deep South, Shia militias in Iraq and so on

Don't try to kid us that Al Shabab are not aligned with global jihad in both its methods and aims. Despite the press downplaying it they singled out Christians for execution, just as they did in the Nairobi mall in 2013. The attack coincided with Easter, just as Boko Haram targeted churches a couple of years ago. The political aims and tactics used are the same.

http://www.thecommentator.com/article/5732/a_massacre_of_christians_to_ponder_at_easter

Edit: with reference to the post above mine I would add that according to Geert Wilders 73% of Dutch Muslims surveyed thought those traveling to Syria to fight were heroes.

I'm fully aware of the nature & actions of Al Shabab. You're making false accusations

Okay. I didn't intend to misrepresent you. Actually I do agree with your point that human rights abuses by the military are not conducive to building trust and cooperation. Indeed it was alleged abuses by the Nigerian military which were cited as the reason the U.S refused to arm the Nigerian government in their fight against Boko Haram.
However this is at best peripheral to the central reality that Islamist groups are seeking to expand their control just about everywhere that Muslim populations come into contact with non-Muslim ones. Every single one of these flashpoints may have local factors which either aggravate or mitigate, however Jihad beats to a different drum of its own, which is why even in places where the governments bend over backwards not to antagonize Muslims we still get the same culture clash. You may not condone the jihadists and you may understand how they operate, but to focus on tangential details unavoidably hides the big picture, the BBC and CNN do this all the time.

Nation states need to take control of their borders and then kick out all those who have a problem with the way each society runs its affairs.

[Lite Beer]

Kenya mourns 148 dead in university attack by militants
CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press
TOM ODULA, Associated Press

GARISSA, Kenya (AP) — The 20-year-old student called home from the university besieged by Islamic militants and frantically told her father, "There are gunshots everywhere! Tell Mum to pray for me — I don't know if I will survive."

The call by Elizabeth Namarome Musinai at dawn Thursday was one of several her family received as the attack and hostage drama unfolded at Garissa University College, where gunmen from the al-Shabab militant group killed 148 people.

Then, about 1 p.m., a man got on the line to demand that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta be contacted within two minutes and told to remove troops from neighboring Somalia, where they are fighting al-Shabab extremists.

He phoned back promptly. When told the president had not been contacted, he said, "I am going to kill your daughter." Three gunshots followed, and he hung up. When Elizabeth's father, Fred Kaskon Musinai, called the man back, he said he was told: "She is now with her God."

Musinai said he is still hanging on to hope that Elizabeth somehow survived, although she is not on the list of wounded, which now numbers 104. He has traveled from his home in Kitale to Nairobi, where the dead are being brought to a morgue for families to identify and claim.

Survivors and relatives gave other harrowing accounts of the siege by Islamic extremists as Kenya on Friday mourned the victims of the attack, the deadliest since the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi that killed more than 200 people.

At the Nairobi morgue, screaming and crying family members were assisted by Red Cross staffers, who tried to console them.

Archbishop John Njue, who conducted Good Friday services in the capital, cited the "murdered" students and said, "This is a tremendous challenge in our country."

Pope Francis condemned the attack as an act of "senseless brutality" and called for those responsible to change their violent ways. In a telegram of condolence, Francis also urged Kenyan authorities to work to bring an end to such attacks and "hasten the dawn of a new era of brotherhood, justice and peace."

The gunmen singled out Christians at the university, killing them on the spot. But Muslims also were among the dead, as were women, even though the attackers had said at one point that they, too, would be spared.

The masked attackers — strapped with explosives and armed with AK-47s — battled troops and police before the violence ended after about 13 hours.

In announcing an updated figure of 148 people killed by the gunmen, Interior Minister Joseph Nkaissery said 142 of the dead were students, three were policemen and three were soldiers.

Police worked at the Garissa campus Friday, taking fingerprints from the bodies of the four slain gunmen and of the students and security officials who died, for identification purposes.

Security forces guarded the gates of the school. Its slogans on the wall outside said "Oasis of Innovation" and "A World Class University of Technological Processes and Development."

Elsewhere in Garissa, soldiers blocked a group of women that approached a military-controlled site where students were awaiting evacuation, prompting several women to collapse, shrieking, in the dust for several minutes. A bystander said the son of one of the women had died in the attack.

Survivor Helen Titus said one of the first things the al-Shabab gunmen did when they entered the campus was to head for a lecture hall where Christians were in prayer.

"They investigated our area. They knew everything," said Titus, a Christian, who was being treated in Garissa for a bullet wound to the wrist.

The 21-year-old English literature student told The Associated Press that she smeared blood from classmates on her face and hair and played dead at one point.

The gunmen also told students hiding in dormitories to come out, assuring them that they would not be killed, Titus said.

"We just wondered whether to come out or not," she said. Many students did, and the gunmen shot them anyway.

Esther Wanjiru said she was awake at the time of the attack. Asked if she lost anyone, she said: "My best friend."

Another survivor, Nina Kozel, said she was awakened by screaming and that many students ran to the fences and jumped over them. Some suffered bruises, she said. Many were unable to escape and hid in vain under beds and in closets in their rooms, she added.

"They were shot there and then," she said, adding that the killers shouted "God is great" in Arabic.

Those who surrendered were either selected for killing, or freed in some cases, apparently because they were Muslim, she said.

A spokesman for the group, Ali Mohamud Rage, said it was responsible for the attack. Al-Shabab has struck several times in Kenya, including the siege at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi in 2013 that killed 67 people, to retaliate against Kenya for sending troops to Somalia in 2011 to fight the militants and stabilize the government in Mogadishu.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called for stronger collaboration between his country and Kenya to defeat al-Shabab.

The U.N. Security Council expressed outrage — a word it rarely uses — in condemning the attack. A statement approved by all 15 council members paid tribute to Kenya's role in fighting "terrorism" — especially its role in the African Union's mission in Somalia against al-Shabab.

The White House said President Barack Obama called Kenyatta to express condolences "for the lives lost during the heinous terrorist attack."

Obama, who is scheduled to visit Nairobi in July, "emphasized his support for the government and people of Kenya," according to a statement. It added that he and Kenyatta would discuss how to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation.

Some Kenyans were angry the Kenyan government didn't take sufficient security precautions. The attack came six days after Britain advised "against all but essential travel" to parts of Kenya, including Garissa.

A day before the attack, Kenyatta dismissed that warning as well as an Australian one pertaining to Nairobi and Mombasa, saying: "Kenya is safe as any country in the world. The travel advisories being issued by our friends are not genuine."

Previous travel warnings have hurt the country's tourism industry.

One man posted a photo on Twitter showing about 100 bodies lying face-down on a blood-smeared courtyard with the comment: "Our inaction is betrayal to these Garissa victims"

Babu Owino, the chairman of the Students Organization for Nairobi University, said the government's behavior shows it is not serious in fighting extremist attacks.

A small group of demonstrators walked down a main road in Garissa with signs that read "We are against the killing of innocent Kenyans!!!! We are tired!!" and "Enough is enough. No more killing!! We are with you, our fellow Kenyans."

"We feel very sorry for them and we condemn the attack," demonstrator Abdullahi Muktar said of the victims.

___

Odula reported from Nairobi, Kenya. Abdi Guled in Mogadishu, Somalia, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-04-04

[arjunadawn]

Only 65%? Here's a quick impartial survey of a room full of "British" Muslims who say that they are moderate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYAcLudBbhg

Totally brilliant post; thank you. Of course, this is the observation many on TV share- that the elusive "moderate" muslim is a pie-in-the-sky fantasy based more on Western imaginings than actual data. The absurdity that because only 10 or 12 jihadists do something awful, for example, and cite koranic scripture to do so, and 1.3 million muslims in the same country at the same time did not, must mean that the 1.3 million others are pacifist, westernized, and integrated. This is sheer nonsense. Wrong formula?

Show us the mechanics that are used to surmise that the world majority of muslims do not support jihad.

Show us the formula for inferring that islam is a religion of peace.

"But they are our neighbors and they are so nice" and "I would never imagine the boy up the street would..." But do you know what they are reading? Do you realize what they say and read and pray for regarding you- every day!

Would you actually allow the same sort of material to be read to your children. If ever there was a standard for Hate on earth, in all of history, the scriptural imperatives from the koran and sunnah should be the standard. Find this uncomfortable? It is a fact! Read them.

Are we numb yet? Are we paralyzed by the decreasing options available? Have you read the projected global demographics by the year 2050? Do others out there really believe current events will somehow putter out, decrease, find equilibrium? Hardly, Civilization is in free fall and in that vacuum islam expands.

[BuaBS]

Curious to see if this post gets 10+ pages likes the post about 150 killed in planecrash in the Alpes....crucifying the german co-pilot.

About 150 dead by a suicide bomber in Yemen , and 300 wounded for live. (I guess all muslim)

About 150 dead by some suicital gunmen in Kenya , many non muslims too.

When it isn't westeners , no-one realy cares ?

[SOTIRIOS]

...difficult to understand how this is 'allowed' to happen......

[arjunadawn]

Curious to see if this post gets 10+ pages likes the post about 150 killed in planecrash in the Alpes....crucifying the german co-pilot.

About 150 dead by a suicide bomber in Yemen , and 300 wounded for live. (I guess all muslim)

About 150 dead by some suicital gunmen in Kenya , many non muslims too.

When it isn't westeners , no-one realy cares ?

I think there are a great many on these forum threads who actually do care about all lives and not just Westerners. Not only do I believe those that tend to agree with me care but it is pretty darn clear that those who have the opposite view also tend to care a great deal about all people. This seems, IMO, to be a foregone conclusion for all of us. We just differ on what means what, politics, who's facts, etc. I think we all agree this is one more horrible tragedy in the daily struggle of the Third Great Jihad!

[Basil B]

147 people murdered purely because of their religion, yet you would see infinitely more posts if Israeli soldiers shot dead a solitary terrorist. I can understand the Islam fatigue most people no doubt feel, but until we wake up and take draconian action to stop the death cult of pure evil we are going to get more and more of this, which includes developed world white people.

I do not think it is just religion, they are targeting Schools, Universities in particular those that educate women.

They want to take us back to year zero just like by mass extermination of the educated, intelligent and any others who may disagree with their ideology, same as Pol Pot wanted and tried.

[ggt]

There is no longer a safe haven from these Islamic terrorists...it is just a matter of time that all countries will be terrorized by these inhuman thugs...

Prepare yourself...to protect you and your family...the authorities are becoming more impotent as the terrorist become better organized and aggressive...

Such will be the life of our children and grandchildren...

[The Deerhunter]

About time some of these countries started holding frozen pig offal & make it known any Muslim terrorists found will be buried (whole or in pieces) with a liberal helping. According to General "Black Jack" Pershing, some while back, those who are stupid enough to believe 72 virgins are waiting in heaven for them if they die for Allah, also believe that being buried with pig remains or offal will prevent them them from being allowed into heaven to collect their reward.

RIP 148 poor innocent students. When will we see the end of this inhuman insanity?

[The Deerhunter]

147 people murdered purely because of their religion, yet you would see infinitely more posts if Israeli soldiers shot dead a solitary terrorist. I can understand the Islam fatigue most people no doubt feel, but until we wake up and take draconian action to stop the death cult of pure evil we are going to get more and more of this, which includes developed world white people.

I do not think it is just religion, they are targeting Schools, Universities in particular those that educate women.

They want to take us back to year zero just like by mass extermination of the educated, intelligent and any others who may disagree with their ideology, same as Pol Pot wanted and tried.

It is ALL about religion. But not Christianity in particular. It is all about Islam. They want to bring on the end of the world so they and all their miserable friends can go to heaven & be rewarded.

Edited April 4, 2015 by The Deerhunter

[The Deerhunter]

Financing methods for Al Shabab are reviewed at the URL below. As we know from arrests in Thailand of security forces members, corruption is a contributing factor for cash flow. In this case an example is sugar smuggling from Somalia into Kenya.

http://www.ibtimes.com/al-shababs-finances-militant-group-gets-funding-local-businesses-sources-abroad-1678894

Al Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic State in Somalia. Kenyan forces have had successes in Somalia taking on Al Shabab. However. there have been many accusations against the Kenyan military of significant human rights abuses that would just aggravate the situtation.

http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/al_shabaab.html

As ever if you look hard enough there is always an explanation which excuses the Islamic terrorists. Of course such arguments are for the consumption of western liberals and don't make on iota of difference to the ideology or behavior of said terrorists.

If the last 1400 years have shown us anything it's that the ultimate goal is the same in every country where there are Muslims; to establish Shariah Law and eradicate non-Muslims either by conversion, death or by enslaving them. Any excuses and talk of Islam being a peaceful and merciful religion is a big lie just to further the cause.

The below is a quote from an article about a survey made among muslims living in western europe I read earlier today:

"According to the study (German and English), which was funded by the German government, two thirds (65%) of the Muslims interviewed say Islamic Sharia law is more important to them than the laws of the country in which they live."

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!