We stand with you on the war against terror, US declares

Sunday, January 24, 2016

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The United States has reaffirmed its commitment in supporting Kenya’s fight against Al-Shabaab at a time the country is mourning its soldiers killed in Somalia.

US Ambassador Robert Godec said his country will continue standing “shoulder to shoulder” with Kenya in combating terrorist groups and violent extremists. He said the people of the US are with Kenyans in mourning Kenya Defence Force (KDF) soldiers who paid the ultimate price while restoring peace in war-torn Somalia.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Kenya in the fight against Al Shabaab and all terrorist groups, and for freedom and democracy. Together, we will defeat the scourge of terrorism,” he said.

The commitment by the US comes just after the country held a solemn ceremony on Friday to honour soldiers who lost their lives fighting back Al Shabaab militants after the group overran their camp in El Adde. “The US strongly condemns the terrorist attack by Al Shabaab against a KDF base in El Adde, Somalia,” he said. “On behalf of the US government and the American people, I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the soldiers killed in this atrocity. We grieve with them and with Kenyans across this country.”

He described the soldiers as heroes who made the “ultimate sacrifice to protect peace, freedom and the rights of Kenyans, Somalis and people across the world”.

“We hope for the speedy recovery of the injured and for the rapid return of any soldiers still missing in Somalia,” he added. On Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition chief Raila Odinga presented a united front in leading Kenyans to celebrate the gallant soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country.

The two leaders expressed defiance in the face of devastating pain the country is going through. “Kenyans came together in a ceremony of solemn remembrance to honor their fallen heroes, to grieve with their families, and to reaffirm their commitment to the fight,” said Godec.

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