Thread by @jseldin

NEW: @DeptofDefense withholding findings of investigation into the #alShabaab attack on the #MandaBay airfield in #Kenya -which killed 1 US servicemember & 2 US contractors- pending "an independent review" by "a 4-star general officer"
defense.gov/Newsroom/Relea…

"It is the Secretary’s desire to ensure there is a full examination & consideration of the contributing factors ... & that appropriate action is taken to reduce the risk of future occurrence" per @PentagonPresSec "The families impacted deserve nothing less"

Review will be led by @TRADOC Commander, Gen Paul Funk

"An independent review will provide added insight, perspective, and the ability to assess the totality of this tragic event involving multiple Military Services & Department of Defense components" per @PentagonPresSec

"We will provide updates to the family members impacted by this tragic attack & will ensure that Congress is appropriately informed when the review is completed" per @PentagonPresSec

Days after the attack, @USAfricaCommand's Gen Stephen Townsend issued a statement saying he wanted "the ground truth" on what happened

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1215411140060237824?s=20

An @USAfricaCommand statement about 2 weeks after the #MandaBay attack by #alShabaab said, "an initial assessment indicates that a timely and effective response to the attack reduced the number of casualties and eliminated the potential for further damage”

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1220400048724488193?s=20

More than 3 weeks after the #MandaBay attack, @USAfricaCommand's Gen. Townsend told lawmakers,
"It is self obvious that we were not as prepared there, at Manda Bay, as we needed to be"

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1222904297354035200?s=20

Almost 2 months after the deadly #alShabaab attack on #MandaBay, US officials confirmed the attack planner & his wife, also part of the #alQaida affiliate, were killed in an airstrike

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1232343877178339330?s=20