A member of the British Army’s elite Special Air Service (SAS) reportedly exchanged fire with the radical Islamic terrorists who attacked a hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenya, helping in the rescue operations.
The “long-serving” member of the SAS — whose regimental motto is “who dares wins” — was undertaking training of Kenyan forces when four armed jihadists entered the Dusit D2 hotel complex in the Kenyan capital on Tuesday, reports Sky News.
He was asked by Kenya’s security services to help and worked with the U.S. Navy Seals, exchanging fire with the terrorists and rescuing civilians from the complex in the affluent Westlands neighbourhood, which is popular with Western expatriates.
An insider told The Sun: “UK Special Forces always run towards the sound of gunfire. He was there training and mentoring Kenyan forces when the shout went up, so they went in.
“During the operation he fired off some rounds – it’s a safe bet he hit his target – the SAS don’t miss.
“He is a long-serving member of the Regiment, there is no doubt his actions saved lives.”
Members of Kenyan Security forces clear the entrance of the scene after the situation was taken under control after the terrorist attack at a hotel complex in Nairobi’s Westlands suburb on January 16, 2019, in Kenya (Photo by Luis TATO/AFP/Getty Images)
At least 14 victims were killed, including British-South African aid worker Luke Potter. Fifty others were injured, including one other Briton.
U.S. officials confirmed one American citizen was also killed. The death of Jason Spindler, the 40-year-old CEO of I-DEV International and survivor of the September 11th 2001 terror attacks, was confirmed by his brother Jonathan on Facebook, according to The Guardian.
“Jason was a survivor of 9/11 and a fighter. I am sure he gave them hell,” his brother wrote.
Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta announced the end of the operation on Wednesday, saying: “All the terrorists have been eliminated.”
The Somali al-Qaeda affiliated al-Shabaab group later claimed responsibility for the attack.