BERLIN (AP) – Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday ordered a review of an investigation into a militant attack on the Manda Bay military base in Kenya in January 2020 that killed three Americans and wounded three others.
In a written statement announcing Austin’s decision, his press secretary, John Kirby, did not establish what Austin was missing in the initial investigation, which was conducted by the U.S. African Commando. Coincidentally, Austin plans to meet with African commanders on Tuesday in Stuttgart, Germany, as part of a broader tour of Europe to consult with allies and talk to U.S. commanders. He will also meet separately with US European Command officials, also in Stuttgart.
“An independent review provides additional insight, perspective, and the ability to assess the totality of this tragic event involving various military services and departments of defense,” Kirby said.
According to Kirby, Austin decided to order the Army to select a four-star general to carry out the review, after considering the results of the Africa Command investigation, which has not yet been made public. The Army elects General Paul Funk, Commander of Army Training and Doctrine Command. Funk is an experienced combat veteran who has served six deployments in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It is the Secretary’s wish to ensure that the contributing factors that led to this tragic event are thoroughly investigated and taken into account and that the necessary steps are taken to reduce the risk of future occurrence,” Kirby said. “The families affected deserve nothing less.”
The attack by al-Shabab militants on the Manda Bay base destroyed six planes, in addition to killing three Americans and wounding three others.
The base in the Kenyan coastal resort was raided on January 5, 2020 by 30 to 40 of the al-Qaeda-linked insurgents, which was the first attack on al-Shabab against US forces in the East African country. The previous assault caused a long firefight and a day-long battle for U.S. and Kenyan forces to search and secure the base.
The base at Manda Bay has been used by the U.S. military for years, but it only became a full-time airport in 2016 with more personnel, aircraft and operations.
The initial phase of the attack came near dawn, when 20 to 30 al-Shabab militants slipped through the forest and fired rocket-propelled grenades at the airport at the base. The opening of grenades quickly killed one soldier in a truck and wounded another, killing two contractors in a plane and wounding each other. About a mile away, other militants fired at Camp Simba, part of the base where U.S. troops were stationed.
Marines from Camp Simba initially responded to the attack site and began fighting back against the militants who had infiltrated the airport and buildings. But it took the whole day before the Kenyan and US security forces finally ended the attack, searched the airport and secured the area.
Lugmagkol. US Africa Command spokesman Chris Karns said a “lot of rigor” had been put into the investigation, which had resulted in a number of immediate improvements. He said the aim was to reassure families and the American public “that we did everything possible to understand the situation and take the necessary steps.”
The inquiry team has’ made findings and recommendations that fall outside the competence of the US African Command and the ability to carry them out, therefore we support the additional independent review directed by the Secretary of Defense, ” We are confident in the findings of the report and remains committed to ensuring redress and improvement in Kenya and across the continent. “
Kenya was an important base for the fight against Al-Shabab, which is based in Somalia and is one of the world’s most resilient extremist organizations. Al-Shabab has launched a number of attacks in Kenya, including against civilian targets on buses, at schools and at shopping malls.
Al-Shabab was the target of a growing number of US airstrikes within Somalia during President Donald Trump’s administration. But at the end of last year, Trump ordered about 700 U.S. troops to withdraw there, and most of the troops were withdrawn by mid-January. According to officials, there are now far fewer than 100 U.S. troops in Somalia.
Austin has launched a review of America’s military stance around the world.