The United States condemned the attack that killed at least 39 people at an upscale shopping mall in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi Saturday, said the White House.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the despicable terrorist attack on innocent civilians today at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya," White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.

"The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice, and we have offered our full support to the Kenyan Government to do so," said Hayden, adding that Washington would continue to confront terrorism in all its forms, including "the threat posed by al-Shabaab."

Hayden also said the U.S. offered "deepest condolences" to the victims' families and loved ones, including the injured American citizens, and commended "the courageous response" by Kenyan security personnel and first responders.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed that at least 39 people died and more than 150 injured in the mall attack, including some of his very close members of his own family.

Somalia's militant group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

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