A barrage of gunfire erupted this morning from the upscale Kenyan mall where there is a hostage standoff with Islamic extremist attackers.
Moments later two wounded Kenyan security forces were carried out of the Westgate shopping mall.
Kenyan authorities said Islamic extremist attackers held an unknown number of hostages in the shopping center located in the Westlands area of Nairobi, after killing at least 39 and injuring 150 yesterday.
Somalia's radical rebel group, al-Shabab, claimed responsibility for the attack in which they specifically targeted non-Muslims.
After assaulting the mall last afternoon, the attackers were surrounded by a combined police and military force throughout the night.
Kenyans and foreigners were among those confirmed dead, including French and Canadians.
"Violent extremists continue to occupy Westgate Mall. Security services are there in full force," said the United States embassy in an emergency text message issued this morning.
