Women Killed in Kenya attack 'Pledged Allegiance to ISIS'

Three women who assaulted a Kenya police station on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a letter published by ISIS supporters, according to a group that monitors extremism.

 

The letter, handwritten in English, pledges allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, SITE Intelligence said late Monday. It threatens bloodshed to avenge the jailing and killings of Muslims in Mombasa.

 

"Know that Islamic State soldiers are everywhere," the note said. "O filthy Kenyan government, don't think we've forgotten how you mercilessly killed our brothers...We promise to make your women widows and your children orphans."

 

On Sunday, the three women went to Mombasa's Central Police Station pretending to report a stolen phone. One drew a knife. Another threw a petrol bomb at officers. One had a suicide vest that didn't detonate.

 

The women died in the attack. Two of the women have been identified as Kenyans Fatuma Omar and Tasmin Yakub Abdullahi Farah.

 

Kenya had raised concerns that the Islamic State group was trying to gain a foothold in East Africa. Authorities say more than 20 Kenyan youth have been recruited by ISIS.

 

Al Qaeda has had a presence in East Africa for years through its Somalia-based al-Shabab affiliate, which has recruited hundreds of Kenyans and used them in deadly attacks.