#britishsas

A British SAS trooper who stormed into a Kenyan hotel during a terror attack is being extracted from the country over fears for his own safety - after his face was scattered all over social media. The 'decorated and veteran' member of the SAS - who has been extremely active in Syria and involved in a number of operations against ISIS - was captured on camera responding to a terror attack on Tuesday which saw five gunmen kill 21 people. He is understood to have been out shopping in the city when he heard about the attack and kitted up with equipment in the back of his car before heading to the scene to 'organise the entire operation'. The off-duty Special Forces warrior, wearing combat gear over casual jeans and a purple shirt, was seen entering the complex in Nairobi and then emerging with terrified survivors. Insiders say there is 'no doubt' his actions saved lives and he was hailed for his bravery in the days after.

Photos from the scenes yesterday show the off-duty Special Forces warrior with combat gear over a casual jeans and purple shirt storming the building and rescuing civilians. He used a modified colt Canada rifle and carried a Glock 9mm side weapon as well as a knife for hand-to-hand combat

The off-duty Special Forces warrior, wearing combat gear over casual jeans and a purple shirt, was seen entering the complex in Nairobi and then emerging with terrified survivors

The SAS hero was also seen rescuing civilians from inside the hotel complex while members of the Kenyan security forces fired at the terrorists

The British special forces soldier carries a casualty out of the building with help from a member of the security forces

The British special forces soldier enters the building in Nairobi, Kenya, carrying his modified colt Canada rifle

An image purporting to show one of the terrorists with a bandolier around his body and bullet casings scattered across the floor

Another image purporting to show one of the terrorists, with bullet damage to the wall behind him and wounds covering his corpse

AK-47s used by the terrorists (left) lie on the ground after being recovered by police, the five terrorists also wore bandoliers (right) which appear to be stuffed with rifle magazines and grenades

The British SAS soldier was reportedly in Nairobi to train Kenyan Special Forces when five Islamist terrorists attacked a luxury hotel complex in the city But it has now emerged that the hero is having to flee the country over fears he could be targeted in retaliation for his brave actions. A source close to the MailOnline said: 'For his own safety he is leaving the country as he could be tracked down. His safety is paramount. 'He is a decorated, veteran member of the SAS who was a member of D Squadron and extremely active in Syria taking part in a number of successful operations against ISIS. He had transferred to B squadron for this assignment’ The 22 SAS Regiment, of which this man is believed to be a member, is divided into four main squadrons - A, B, D and G - all of which consist of around 65 men led by a major. Each squadron consists of four key specialisms - boat, air, mobility and mountain - and are the regular army unit for the SAS. The reserves are numbered 21 and 23. The face of the SAS hero involved in the response to Tuesday's terror attack was largely concealed by a balaclava. He used a modified colt Canada rifle and carried a Glock 9mm side weapon as well as a knife for hand-to-hand combat. More than 700 people were evacuated from the complex during the 20-hour siege, but British charity executive Luke Potter and 41-year-old U.S. businessman Jason Spindler were among the dead. The British SAS soldier was reportedly in Nairobi to train Kenyan Special Forces when a request for help went out to local forces. 'He was there training and mentoring Kenyan forces when the shout went up, so they went in,' an insider told The Sun. 'British Special Forces always run towards the sound of gunfire. He fired off rounds during the operation. It's a safe bet he hit his target — the SAS don't miss. There's no doubt his actions saved lives. 'He is a long serving member of the Regiment, there is no doubt his actions saved lives.' Revealing more about the soldier's daring actions, SAS veteran Chris Ryan – who served in the elite regiment for 10 years – told the Mirror the soldier 'was out shopping', when he heard about the hotel attack. He said: 'He had his equipment in the car so, when it all kicked off, he sprinted back and got kitted up before heading straight towards the fire-fight. 'When he arrived in the hotel, he started organising the entire operation, directing the police and army. 'Then he went in there on his own to neutralise the enemy and rescue the hostages. His actions certainly saved many lives and show the manner of these men, who are extremely brave and always ready.' When contacted by MailOnline, the Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the report. Meanwhile, another army veteran, who was awarded the George Cross when he risked his life to save hundreds of people held hostage by Islamic terrorists five years ago, again found himself at the centre of the action. Retired Royal Marine Major Dominic Troulan was awarded the prestigious honour for his heroics in the 2013 terror attack on Nairobi's Westgate Mall after he helped to rescue the wife and daughter of a friend trapped inside the shopping centre. The former special forces soldier also risked his life repeatedly enterering the mall to rescue other civilians. On Tuesday he was forced into action again when the six militants entered the complex where he had been working providing private security. He told The Times: 'I was literally going to send the last email of the day when there was a f***-off explosion. I saw smoke, heard gunfire and dispatched my client downstairs and out the back of the compound. 'Then I came back because we still had people in the building. We went firm and hunkered down in a conference room until about 6pm . There were General Service Unit police paramilitaries patrolling outside the building. I went outside and made sure we were good to get out.' Once his colleagues were safe, Mr Troulan braved the carnage to rescue a driver who was hiding in a multi-storey car park.

The unnamed soldier helped rescue civilians and reportedly helped storm the complex

Kenyan security officers search for attackers during an ongoing gunfire and explosions in Nairobi on Tuesday

People take cover as they follow a police officer to evacuate the upscale hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi

Security forces help civilians flee the scene as cars burn behind, at a hotel complex in Nairobi