Briton among al-Shabab fighters killed in Kenya, tests expected to confirm

Thomas Evans/Abdul Hakim

Thomas Evans, who changed his name to Abdul Hakim, is believed to be among the dead

Forensic tests are expected to confirm that a British man was among 11 al-Shabab fighters killed during an attack in Kenya, the BBC understands.

Kenya's defence forces believe Thomas Evans, 25, from Buckinghamshire, was among those who died in an attack on a military base in northern Kenya.

Evans, a Muslim convert who changed his name to Abdul Hakim, is believed to be one of two white men among the dead.

His family said they were awaiting official confirmation of his death.

The attack happened in Lamu County on Kenya's northern coast close to the Somali border, when militants armed with AK47s and grenades assaulted the military base and then stormed a nearby village.

Eleven gunmen were killed and two Kenyan soldiers also died.

Thomas Evans/Abdul Hakim
Evans flew to Egypt in 2011 after being stopped from going to Kenya months earlier

Police from London are working alongside the Kenyan security services to identify the man they believe is Evans.

In a statement released by Thames Valley Police, Thomas's mother Sally Evans said: "My son Michael and I are currently awaiting official confirmation regarding the death of my son Thomas.

"We cannot comment any further at this time and request the press respect our privacy."

Michael and Sally Evans
Evans' family told a committee of MPs there had been a "massive failure" by UK authorities

Evans' family previously told the Home Affairs Select Committee there had been a "massive failure" by UK authorities in allowing him to leave Britain.

Evans managed to fly to Egypt in 2011 after being stopped from going to Kenya months earlier.

In January 2012, he told his mother he had travelled from there to Somalia to join Islamist al-Shabab fighters.

At least 50 British citizens are believed to have joined al-Shabab - an al-Qaeda affiliate based in Somalia, which has been behind a series of high profile attacks in Kenya and Somalia.

The British High Commission in Kenya said it was aware of the reports.


Source http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-33133896

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