1. NIGERIA & KENYA

2. Simultaneous bombs are detonated, one at the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, the other in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 224 people killed total, 5,000 injured (12 Americans in Kenya) Organized by Osama bin Laden Attack in response to U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia (home to most holy cities in Islamic religion) Al Qaeda in Africa August 7, 1998

3. KENYA & AL SHABAB

4. Gained independence from Great Britain in 1963 Population of 45 million 82% Christian Modernizing country Entered Somalia in 2011 to help fight al Shabab KENYA

5. “The Youth” Forced out of Mogadishu by Ethiopian troops 7,000 – 9,000 fighters Al Shabab

7. Gunmen open fire at Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya 67 dead more than 170 injured Held hostages for 80 hours (Saturday – Tuesday) Claimed non Muslims were the target Attacks were in response to Kenyan troops in Somalia WEST GATE SHOPPING MALL September 21, 2013

8. Gunmen enter Garissa University in Garissa, Kenya and start shooting 174 dead Survivors say shooters asked students if they were Christian – those who responded “no” were let go, “yes” were executed 4 gunmen killed when bomb vests detonated, one arrested Claim they are now at war with Kenya Garissa University April 2, 2015

9. NIGERIA & BOKO HARAM

10. Federal Republic of Nigeria 36 states and one territory Population: 175 million Highest population in Africa Muslim in the North, Christians in the South Political and economical powerhouse U.S. partner, trading partner with China, center of global business in the region NIGERIA

11. “Western education is sin” Founded 12 years ago Wants to impose Islamic law across all of Nigeria Destruction of Nigerian government BOKO HARAM

12. Current leader is Abubakar Shekau (a.k.a. Darul Tawheed) Not all Muslim supporters are considered allies Attacks mosques if members speak out against them Links to al Qaeda and extremist groups in Mali BOKO HARAM

13. “Our strength and firepower is bigger than that of Nigeria. Nigeria is no longer a big deal to us, as far as we are concerned. We will now comfortably confront the United States of America.” -Abubakar Shekau

14. $7 million bounty on Shekau’s head Reluctant to put boots on the ground when attacks have been in Nigeria Shekau released a statement last year vowing to attack U.S. and Europe INTERFERENCE

16. AUGUST 2011 SUICIDE ATTACK ON U.N. BUILDING IN ABUJA KILLING 25 PEOPLE

17. APRIL 2014 EXPLOSION THROUGH A BUS STATION IN NIGERIAN CAPITAL KILLING 71 PEOPLE

18. APRIL 2014, 200 SCHOOL GIRLS ABDUCTED

20. May 2014