Al-Shabab Warns Kenyans Of 'Another Bloodbath' After Garissa University Attack

Militants of the Somali al-Shabab group, who had earlier taken responsibility for Thursday’s attack on the Garissa University in Kenya, threatened to carry out more attacks in the country on Saturday, according to media reports. The statement by al Qaeda-affiliated group comes less than two days after gunmen killed nearly 150 people in the Kenyan town of Garissa.

“Not only are you condoning your government's oppressive policies by failing to speak out against them, but are reinforcing their policies by electing them … you chose your government out of your own volition so endure the consequences of your actions, for you will bear the full brunt of its follies,” al-Shabab reportedly said, in a statement directed at the Kenyan public. “You will, therefore, pay the price with your blood … No amount of precaution or safety measures will be able to guarantee your safety, thwart another attack or prevent another bloodbath.”

In an early morning attack on Thursday, gunmen had stormed the Garissa University College campus and killed 148 students. Witnesses said that Christian students were deliberately targeted while Muslim students were let go. Following the attack, al-Shabab had taken responsibility for the killings, claiming that they were motivated by the Kenyan government’s decision to aid Somalia in its fight against the group.

The attack was carried out to “avenge the deaths of thousands of Muslims killed at the hands of the Kenyan security forces,” the group said, in the statement, according to a report by Agence France-Presse. “The mujahedeen stormed the university compound and swiftly proceeded to the halls of residence where they had gathered all the occupants … and since the attack targeted only non-Muslims, all Muslims were allowed to safely evacuate the premises before executing the disbelievers.”