#kenyahotelattack

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

A man who went viral on social media after bidding farewell to his family while trapped in one of the buildings at 14 Riverside complex during Tuesday’s attack has been rescued. Mr. Ng’eno was among over 174 people who were rescued overnight even as security forces continued to battle the attacker more the 12 hours after the siege started. Ng’eno was evacuated hours after he tweeted a “goodbye message” to his family should he die in the attack. In a series of tweets, he had given updates on the harrowing situation inside Dusit D2 Hotel at a time no one knew exactly what was happening.  

  In his first tweet, he said that if he died, he loved the lord and believed he will go to heaven. “Please tell my family I love then I love you Caleb, Mark and Carol.” "If I die I love the Lord and believe I will go to heaven please tell my family I love then I love you Caleb, Mark and Carol" Mr Ng’eno who describes himself as a husband, father, communication consultant, trainer and photographer, tweeted at 6:20am on Wednesday to the relief of those who had been hoping to hear good news that he was well. “Dear all thank you for your support. I am now out and at home with my family. Thanks to the brave @NPSOfficial_KE @kdfinfo for risking their lives to save others.”  

Kenyan special forces take position at the scene following several explosions and heavy gunfire. The four attackers, one wearing a green belt laden with grenades, were seen on CCTV blasting their way into the hotel and office complex in Nairobi after detonating car bombs outside a nearby bank . The suicide bomber then blew himself up in the lobby before the other three began hurling grenades and shooting people as they fled or hid under tables. Kenyatta said that 14 civilians have been confirmed dead and that more than 700 people had been evacuated to safety from the the 14 Riverside Drive complex which includes a large hotel known as DusitD2, banks and offices. Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, which has links to al-Qaeda claimed that it was behind the terror attack.

Members of security forces secure a building at the scene. People are evacuated by a member of security forces at the scene where explosions and gunshots were heard at the Dusit hotel compound, in Nairobi, Kenya January 15, 2019. A Kenyan air force helicopter flies over the scene.

    People were evacuated and some survivors run for their lives in the street as a gunfight ensued between al Shabaab terrorists and Kenyan security guards.

CCTV showing two of the alleged attackers walking past a barrier towards the hotel wearing dark paramilitary-style gear. Al Shabaab has already claimed responsibility for the carnage. Rescuers and journalists evacuate an injured man from the scene where explosions and gunshots were heard at the Dusit hotel compound, in Nairobi. People run as they are evacuated at the scene where explosions and gunshots were heard at the Dusit hotel compound, in Nairobi.