Kenyan Shopping Mall Massacre

[cronus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24186780

Nairobi Westgate shoot-out 'kills 20' in Kenya

A gun battle inside a shopping centre in the Kenyan capital Nairobi has left at least 20 people dead, the Kenyan Red Cross says.

The gunmen attacked the Westgate centre - one of the city's most exclusive. Dozens of shoppers fled; many are still feared trapped inside.

Police originally said it might be an attempted robbery but are now treating it as a terrorist attack.

The Somali militant group al-Shabab had threatened to strike the centre.

(continued)

[Tero]

It looks like the journalist is explaining it well: they are doing a lot of lying down.

[Audley Strange]

What a fucking mess.

[cronus]

If the massacre had happened in the jungle no one would have bothered reporting it.

[Audley Strange]

You're talking shit again.

[cronus]

You're talking shit again.

The Turbi massacre shows what you are up against as a terrorist group trying to raise your profile in Africa. Hundreds dead and thousands fled but it happened in nowhere land so it was like a pebble dropped in still water.

[Audley Strange]

Yeah that would be the Turbi massacre that you've not heard about because no one ever reported it?

The reportage may not have been immediate, but it was reported.

[cronus]

Yeah that would be the Turbi massacre that you've not heard about because no one ever reported it?

The reportage may not have been immediate, but it was reported.

Shooting up shopping malls gets you immediate global coverage on the other hand.

[Audley Strange]

Well yes, most major world cities have many news crews immediately available. I'm sure if they had attacked a hotel or a Burger King it would still have made the news whereas if they had attacked a lodge on a reserve you might not have heard about it for a day or two.

[cronus]

Well yes, most major world cities have many news crews immediately available. I'm sure if they had attacked a hotel or a Burger King it would still have made the news whereas if they had attacked a lodge on a reserve you might not have heard about it for a day or two.

...and if the camera crews felt it was risky going to see the dying embers that critical footage would not be filmed to be aired. The story would be a footnote without pictures.

[Audley Strange]

So? It was still reported. You've attempts to evade the admission that you were talking shit are a bit sad Scrump.

[HomerJay]

Yeah that would be the Turbi massacre that you've not heard about because no one ever reported it?

The reportage may not have been immediate, but it was reported.

Shooting up shopping malls gets you immediate global coverage on the other hand.

Terrorism is Theatre? There's a new idea.

[klr]

The attack has been claimed by the Somalian group Al-Shabab:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24191606

Even if they didn't do it, they'd want to claim it.

[JimC]

Actually, I think Scrumple is right, earlier in the thread, in comparing this to massacres in out of the way places, which barely get reported.

"Massacre in a mall" will get the attention of the western media, which is the real intent of terrorist groups.

[klr]

Actually, I think Scrumple is right, earlier in the thread, in comparing this to massacres in out of the way places, which barely get reported.

"Massacre in a mall" will get the attention of the western media, which is the real intent of terrorist groups.

Very true ... but terrorists also massacre lots of people just to terrorise the local populace. Just look at what's happening with Boko Haram in Nigeria.