Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement Thursday remembering the “innocent victims” in the gruesome Al-Shabaab attack on a Kenyan university, while the White House statement acknowledged it “reportedly included the targeting of Christian students.”
The death toll in the assault on Garissa University College stood at 147, making it the deadliest terror attack in Kenya since the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing in Nairobi. Officials said four gunmen were killed.
The attack began during an early morning prayer service, and as the Shabaab terrorists moved through the dorms they reportedly kept the Christians hostage and let Muslims go. Some students who escaped reported seeing beheaded victims.
“The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s terrorist attack against the innocent men and women of Garissa University College in eastern Kenya. We extend our deep condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed in this heinous attack, which reportedly included the targeting of Christian students,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers also are with the many injured. The United States is providing assistance to the Kenyan Government, and we will continue to partner with them as well as with others in the region to take on the terrorist group al-Shabaab. The United States stands with the people of Kenya, who will not be intimidated by such cowardly attacks.”
Kerry said the U.S. “strongly condemns al-Shabaab’s terrorist attack.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the innocent victims who were killed in the attack. We also direct our thoughts to the many who sustained injuries,” he said.
“The United States stands resolutely with the government and people of Kenya in the effort to end the scourge of terrorism. The attack once again reinforces the need for all countries and communities to unite in the effort to combat violent extremism.”
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