News / Africa

17 Killed in Attacks on Kenya Churches

An armed Kenyan policeman walks inside the African Inland Church in Garissa, July 1, 2012.
An armed Kenyan policeman walks inside the African Inland Church in Garissa, July 1, 2012.
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VOA News
Kenya police say gunmen attacked two churches in the eastern town of Garissa on Sunday, killing 17 people and wounding at least 40.

Authorities say in both cases the attackers hurled grenades and opened fire on worshipers.

The deadliest attack took place at the African Inland Church, where at least 10 people were killed, including two police officers.  The second attack took place at a Catholic church.

Police did not immediately say who was behind the violence.  They have blamed similar attacks on sympathizers of the Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab.

Garissa is located about 140 kilometers west of the Somalia border.  It is also about 80 kilometers southwest of the sprawling Dadaab refugee camp, which houses nearly 500,000 Somali refugees.

On Friday, several gunmen at the Dadaab camp killed one Kenyan and kidnapped four foreign aid workers.

Kenyan sent troops into Somalia last year to pursue al-Shabab militants.  Since then, Kenya has blamed the al-Qaida-allied group for a series of attacks and kidnappings on Kenyan soil.

Al-Shabab says it is trying to overthrow U.N.-backed transitional government and impose a strict form of Sharia law throughout Somalia.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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by: Molina from: Spain
July 01, 2012 2:00 PM
who could do such a despicable act?


by: Wally Geez from: USA
July 01, 2012 1:29 PM
How can ANY group justify going into a church - ANY church - and kill innocent people like this? Complete savages that follow the WRONG (Muslim) religion - that's who.


by: Marty from: USA
July 01, 2012 12:24 PM
al-Shabab. sounds like the Muslims are here & angry with everyone who is not a Muslim... Years ago in the US there was a saying, "Better red then Dead" Well maybe it is better to be a Muslim then a dead non Muslim.. Just saying


by: Manjit Singh from: USA
July 01, 2012 12:17 PM
With a war on Horizon between Syria and Turkey, and these types of news just saddens me. When would this World just become peaceful. The politicians, the religious fanatics, the army generals, the news reporters on both sides and other spectators like me just watch and read this in our living livings while innocent people's lives are being ruined. None of the above would get ruined but are affected by these events. May Waheguru bless this Earth and bring compassion, peace, and love in every heart so they can see God in all. I wish this nonsense would stop.

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