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US deploys more troops to Manda Bay following Shabaab attack

Storyline:National News, Security

The US Africa Command has deployed additional troops to Manda Bay military base in Kenya’s Lamu region following an attack by Al-Shabaab militants Sunday which killed three American officers and destroyed aircrafts.

AFRICOM said in a statement Monday troops from its East Africa Response Force (EARF) arrived in Manda Bay to augment security in the area.

“The EARF provides a critical combat-ready, rapid deployment force,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Gayler, director of operations, U.S. Africa Command. “The EARF’s ability to respond to events spanning a vast area of responsibility provides a proven and invaluable on-call reinforcement capability in times of need.”

Al-Shabaab ambushed the base Sunday morning killing one service member and two defense department staff according to a statement earlier issued by AMISOM. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility.

AFRICOM dismissed claims the attack was related to the hostile relations between US and Iran. It also rubbished reports its head, Gen. Stephen J. Townsend has been killed during the attack.

The EARF, under the command and control of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, responds to a broad range of military operations including the protection of U.S. citizens and diplomatic facilities, support for non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, and other missions as directed.