A lone SAS operator led Kenyan special forces into a hostage-rescue mission

Eric Sof

Chris Craighead: SAS operator during terrorist attack in Kenya

A lone SAS operator led Kenyan special forces into a besieged DusitD2 hotel complex in Nairobi in order to eliminate terrorists and rescue hostages. The “long-serving” member of the SAS – motto Who Dares Wins – was on a mission to train and mentor Kenyan Special Forces when four terrorists attacked a hotel complex.

Suicide bombers

After one detonated a suicide belt the remaining three went on a gun and grenade rampage leaving 14 dead, including British development worker Luke Potter. Amid the carnage – orchestrated by terror group al-Shabaab – a lone SAS operator got tooled up and went in after a request for help from Kenyan security forces, sources said.

A lone SAS operator led Kenyan special forces into a hostage-rescue mission
A long-serving member of the SAS is seen dragging a victim from the scene of the shooting (Photo: EPA)

Incredible images showed the operator in jeans, trainers, and body armor storming through doors and aiding injured, his face covered by a balaclava. He was pictured operating at the hotel alone. But he was joined in the mission by US Navy Seals, sources said.

Training and mentoring mission

An insider said: “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.”

A lone SAS operator led Kenyan special forces into a hostage-rescue mission (Photo: AP: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Dramatic standoff

The incident was today declared over by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and all the attackers “eliminated”. Local police and soldiers were also seen taking part in the dramatic standoff, with some 700 people eventually rescued from the complex. Gunmen attacked the compound in the Westlands district of Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Tuesday afternoon.

The complex houses the DusitD2 hotel as well as offices and restaurants. In a TV address to the nation, Kenyatta said 14 people had been killed but hundreds more were safely evacuated.

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