Al-Shabaab’s American allies

Peter Bergen, CNN national security analyst, and David Sterman, Special to CNN
5 minute read
Updated 7:38 AM EDT, Tue September 24, 2013
Relatives of Johnny Mutinda Musango, 48, weep after identifying his body at the city morgue in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, September 24. Musango was one of the victims of the Westgate Mall hostage siege. Kenyan security forces were still combing the mall on the fourth day of the siege by al Qaeda-linked terrorists.
Kenya mall attack —
Relatives of Johnny Mutinda Musango, 48, weep after identifying his body at the city morgue in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, September 24. Musango was one of the victims of the Westgate Mall hostage siege. Kenyan security forces were still combing the mall on the fourth day of the siege by al Qaeda-linked terrorists.
Jerome Delay/AP
Ann Gakii reacts at the Nairobi City Mortuary after identifying the body of her father, who was killed in the mall attack on Saturday.
Kenya mall attack —
Ann Gakii reacts at the Nairobi City Mortuary after identifying the body of her father, who was killed in the mall attack on Saturday.
Khalil Senosi/ap
A Kenyan soldier runs through a corridor on an upper floor at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 24, shortly before an explosion was heard. Sounds of heavy gunfire erupted from the mall Tuesday, even as authorities said they had the building under their control. But four days after Al-Shabaab terrorists stormed the swanky mall, several gunmen -- including snipers -- were still inside, two senior officials said.
Kenya mall attack —
A Kenyan soldier runs through a corridor on an upper floor at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 24, shortly before an explosion was heard. Sounds of heavy gunfire erupted from the mall Tuesday, even as authorities said they had the building under their control. But four days after Al-Shabaab terrorists stormed the swanky mall, several gunmen -- including snipers -- were still inside, two senior officials said.
Ben Curtis/ap
Kenyan Defense Forces walk near the mall on Monday, September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
Kenyan Defense Forces walk near the mall on Monday, September 23.
Jerome Delay/AP
Kenyan Defense Forces leave the mall on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
Kenyan Defense Forces leave the mall on September 23.
Jerome Delay/AP
Stephen, center, is comforted by relatives as he waits for the post mortem exam of his father, who was killed in Saturday's attack at the mall.
Kenya mall attack —
Stephen, center, is comforted by relatives as he waits for the post mortem exam of his father, who was killed in Saturday's attack at the mall.
Jerome Delay/ap
A Kenyan police officer guards the entrance of a building near the mall on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
A Kenyan police officer guards the entrance of a building near the mall on September 23.
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images
A Kenyan security officer takes cover as gunfire and explosions are heard from the mall on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
A Kenyan security officer takes cover as gunfire and explosions are heard from the mall on September 23.
Jerome Delay/ap
Heavy smoke rises from the Westgate Shopping Mall on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
Heavy smoke rises from the Westgate Shopping Mall on September 23.
Jerome Delay/AP
Medics take cover behind a tree as gunfire and explosions are heard from the Westgate Mall on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
Medics take cover behind a tree as gunfire and explosions are heard from the Westgate Mall on September 23.
Jerome Delay/AP
A Kenyan police security officer runs for cover as heavy smoke rises from the mall on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
A Kenyan police security officer runs for cover as heavy smoke rises from the mall on September 23.
Jerome Delay/AP
A paramedic runs for cover outside the mall on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
A paramedic runs for cover outside the mall on September 23.
Sayyid Azim/AP
People run for cover outside the mall after heavy shooting started on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
People run for cover outside the mall after heavy shooting started on September 23.
Sayyid Azim/AP
Kenyan security forces crouch behind a wall outside the mall on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
Kenyan security forces crouch behind a wall outside the mall on September 23.
Jerome Delay/AP
Soldiers take cover after gunfire near the mall on September 23.
Kenya mall attack —
Soldiers take cover after gunfire near the mall on September 23.
CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
Kenyan paramilitary police officers patrol the area near the mall on Sunday, September 22.
Kenya mall attack —
Kenyan paramilitary police officers patrol the area near the mall on Sunday, September 22.
DAI KUROKAWA/EPA/LANDOV
Soldiers from the Kenya Defense Forces arrive outside the Westgate Mall on September 22.
Kenya mall attack —
Soldiers from the Kenya Defense Forces arrive outside the Westgate Mall on September 22.
Ben Curtis/aP
A woman shields a baby as a soldier stands guard inside the Westgate Mall on Saturday, September 21.
Kenya mall attack —
A woman shields a baby as a soldier stands guard inside the Westgate Mall on Saturday, September 21.
KABIR DHANJI/EPA/LANDOV
A rescue worker helps a child outside the mall.
Kenya mall attack —
A rescue worker helps a child outside the mall.
Khalil Senosi/AP
People who had been hiding inside the mall during the gunfire flee the scene.
Kenya mall attack —
People who had been hiding inside the mall during the gunfire flee the scene.
Jonathan Kalan/AP
An armed official takes a shooting position inside the mall.
Kenya mall attack —
An armed official takes a shooting position inside the mall.
KABIR DHANJI/EPA/LANDOV
An armed official crouches on September 21.
Kenya mall attack —
An armed official crouches on September 21.
KABIR DHANJI/EPA/LANDOV
Warning: Graphic images (multiple)
Kenya mall attack —
Bodies lie on the ground inside the mall.
Kenya mall attack —
Bodies lie on the ground inside the mall.
KABIR DHANJI/EPA/LANDOV
Men help a wounded woman outside the mall.
Kenya mall attack —
Men help a wounded woman outside the mall.
Khalil Senosi/AP
Officials carry an injured man in the mall.
Kenya mall attack —
Officials carry an injured man in the mall.
KABIR DHANJI/EPA/LANDOV
Soldiers move up stairs inside the Westgate Mall.
Kenya mall attack —
Soldiers move up stairs inside the Westgate Mall.
KABIR DHANJI/EPA/LANDOV
Armed police leave after entering the mall. At least one suspect has been killed, a government official said. Police have said another suspected gunman has been detained at a Nairobi hospital.
Kenya mall attack —
Armed police leave after entering the mall. At least one suspect has been killed, a government official said. Police have said another suspected gunman has been detained at a Nairobi hospital.
Jonathan Kalan
Armed police take cover behind escalators as smoke fills the air. Witnesses say tear gas was thrown in the corridors.
Kenya mall attack —
Armed police take cover behind escalators as smoke fills the air. Witnesses say tear gas was thrown in the corridors.
Jonathan Kalan/ap
A woman who had been hiding during the attack runs for cover after armed police enter the mall.
Kenya mall attack —
A woman who had been hiding during the attack runs for cover after armed police enter the mall.
Jonathan Kalan/ap
A body is seen on the floor inside the smoke-filled four-story mall.
Kenya mall attack —
A body is seen on the floor inside the smoke-filled four-story mall.
Jonathan Kalan/ap
An injured person is helped on arrival at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi after the attack at the upscale mall.
Kenya mall attack —
An injured person is helped on arrival at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi after the attack at the upscale mall.
Jason Straziuso/ap
A soldier directs people up a stairway inside the Westgate on September 21.
Kenya mall attack —
A soldier directs people up a stairway inside the Westgate on September 21.
KABIR DHANJI/EPA/Landov
An injured man is wheeled into the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
Kenya mall attack —
An injured man is wheeled into the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
Hoss Njuguna/AFP/Getty Images