KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) – The number of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists is mounting across Africa, raising questions about the resurgence of armed groups once seen to be in decline. Here is a brief description of the attacks and an explanation of who was behind them and what is driving the surge.
RECENT ATTACKS
– On Jan. 21, al-Shabab fighters stormed and took over a beachfront restaurant in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. When the siege was over, more than 20 people had been killed in the attack.
– On Jan. 15, gunmen stormed a cafe popular with foreigners in Burkina Faso’s capital, firing at people, setting the cafe ablaze and then attacking a nearby hotel. At least 30 people were killed after a more than 12-hour siege. The North Africa branch of al-Qaida, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility.
– On Jan. 15, al-Shabab attacked an African Union base in Somalia, killing an unknown number of Kenyan peacekeepers. Al-Shabab claimed it had killed about 100 Kenyans. Kenyan authorities have not given a death toll. Kenya has provided a major contingent to the African Union force that is fighting al-Shabab and assisting the elected government of Somalia.