Tense situation escalating in the Horn of Africa

Violence is escalating in the Horn of Africa, as al-Shabab kidnappings and incursions rise and Kenyan authorities retaliate. 

• Two aid workers, one Danish and one American, were kidnapped in northern Somalia on Tuesday.  This is the second kidnapping of aid workers in a month - via AlertNet.
• Grenade attacks rocked Nairobi yesterday.  The first grenade was tossed into a night club, and the second went off at an OTC bus terminal.  More than 20 people have been injured, and one killed.  The attacks occurred shortly after al-Shabab warned of violence, but no one has claimed responsibility as of yet - via Voice of America News. 
• Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of Kenya Farah Moallim defended  Kenya’s  military campaign into Somalia, which began last week after a series of cross border kidnappings - via Voice of America News.
   

More than 12 million people across the region continue are still at risk for starvation and insecurity.  The U.S. has pledged an additional $100 million for food aid this week, Reuters reported, but more than 2 million Somalis remain unreachable by aid.