Heavy gunfire heard in Nairobi shopping mall

Major assault launched to free hostages held by al-Shabab fighters in mall where at least 68 people have been killed.

Heavy gunfire has been heard coming from inside Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall as security forces launch an assault against al-Shabab fighters holding hostages inside.
Kenyan security forces claimed on Sunday to have rescued most of the hostages, but an unknown number remain trapped inside.
Armed men belonging to the Somali group had stormed the Westgate shopping centre on Sunday using grenades and assault rifles. The attack left at least 68 people dead and more than 150 wounded, according to the Red Cross.
Col. Cyrus Oguna, a military spokesman, told Al Jazeera that most of the hostages had been released, though he did not provide an exact number. "Most of them were dehydrated and suffering from shock," Oguna said, adding that four Kenyan soldiers were injured in the rescue operation.

Al-Shabab spokesman Abu Omar talks to Al Jazeera about the siege

Kenya's Disaster Operation Center said "our forces will prevail". Security forces also said that most parts of the mall had also been secured.
Meanwhile, al-Shabab, which has claimed responsibility for the siege, said on its Twitter feed that the "Kenyan government shall be held responsible for any loss of life as a result of such an imprudent move. The call is yours!"
It said "Kenyan forces who’ve just attempted a roof landing must know that they are jeopardising the lives of hostages."
Speaking to Al Jazeera later, Abu Omar, a spokesman, for the group, ruled out any negotiations over the hostages being held and said they would meet their fate.
Al-Shabab told Al Jazeera it carried out the attack in which they specifically targeted non-Muslims. Kenyans and foreigners were among those confirmed dead, including French, Britons, Indians, Canadians, Chinese and a renowned Ghanaian poet.
The Somali group is demanding that Kenya pull troops back from its neighbour, where al-Shabab is fighting against the government.

Narrow escape
As daylight broke on Sunday, several people in hiding in the mall escaped to safety, suggesting that not everyone who was still inside was being held by the al-Shabab fighters

Cecile Ndwiga said she had been hiding under a car in the basement parking garage.

What led to the al-Shabab attack on the Kenyan mall?

"I called my husband to ask the soldiers to come and rescue me. Because I couldn't just walk out anyhow. The shootout was all over here, left, right, just gun shots," she said.

Security forces had pushed curious crowds far back from the mall. Hundreds of residents gathered on a high ridge above the mall to watch for any activity.

The United Nations Security Council condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms," and reminded Kenya that any response must comply with international human rights law.

Presidential pledge
In a live television statement late on Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the country had "overcome terrorist attacks before" and vowed to "hunt down the perpetrators wherever they run to".

"In fact, we have fought courageously and defeated them within and outside our borders - we will defeat them again," said Kenyatta.

Kenyatta said his nephew and his fiancee were among those killed in the mall. "They shall not get away with their despicable and beastly acts," he said.
Witnesses said the attackers opened fire and executed people after they threw grenades into the building at about midday local time (09:00 GMT) on Saturday.

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