Nairobi Westgate attack: Assault begins to break siege ****************************************** Kenyan security forces have launched an assault on the Westgate shopping complex in the capital Nairobi in an attempt to break the two-day siege. Heavy gunfire can be heard and there were earlier reports of explosions at the complex. A plume of black smoke is billowing from the building. A Kenyan police official said that security forces had rescued some hostages held by the attackers. The official death toll now stands at 62 and more than 170 have been injured. The Somali al-Shabab movement has said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia. Dozens of Kenyan troops were seen crossing the road into the Westgate centre, said Daniel Howden, a journalist for the British newspaper, the Independent. Meanwhile, the police have used tear gas to disperse crowds of onlookers gathered close to the Westgate Centre. The Interior Ministry said in a tweet: "We are pleading with you, WestGateMall is a scene of crime. For your own safety keep off that area. Roads leading there have been cordoned."
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 13:50:27 +0000
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