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Nairobi Westgate attack: Assault begins to break siege Nairobi attack: Kenya forces storm Westgate centre
(34 minutes later)
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. Kenyan security forces have launched an assault on the Westgate shopping complex in the capital Nairobi in an attempt to break the three-day siege.
Sporadic gunfire is continuing at the mall, where suspected al-Shabab militants remain holed up.Sporadic gunfire is continuing at the mall, where suspected al-Shabab militants remain holed up.
The Kenya Defence Forces said three "terrorists" had been killed and all escape routes sealed off, with troops now focusing on clearing the building.The Kenya Defence Forces said three "terrorists" had been killed and all escape routes sealed off, with troops now focusing on clearing the building.
The official death toll now stands at 62 and more than 170 have been injured. The official death toll stands at 62 and more than 170 have been injured.
The Somali Islamist al-Shabab movement has said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia.The Somali Islamist al-Shabab movement has said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia.
There were earlier reports of sustained gunfire and dozens of Kenyan troops were seen crossing the road into the Westgate centre. There were earlier reports of sustained gunfire and dozens of Kenyan troops were seen crossing the road into the Westgate centre, from where a thick plume of black smoke was billowing.
However, the firing has since subsided. The Kenyan security forces (KDF) said the fire had been started by "terrorists to distract the ongoing operation", and that the blaze was being managed by firefighters.
Police have been using tear gas to disperse crowds of onlookers gathered close to the Westgate Centre. It said 10 bodies had been retrieved from the building in the last 24 hours. More than 200 civilians have been rescued, 65 of whom remain in hospital.
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." The KDF said 11 of its soldiers had been injured during the stand-off.
Security has been stepped up at entrance and exit points across the country, with arrests made at an unspecified airport, the ministry said. Earlier, police used tear gas to disperse crowds of onlookers gathered close to the Westgate Centre.
'Gaining advantage' The Interior Ministry warned 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."
The earlier round of gunfire and explosions appeared to be a dramatic turn of events in the security forces' operation, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge reported from Nairobi. Security has also been stepped up at entrance and exit points across the country, with "more than 10 individuals" arrested in relation to the attack, the ministry said.
Television pictures showed troops running towards the complex. About 10 attackers were thought to be inside. However, it did not specify when or where the arrests were made.
"We're increasingly gaining advantage of the attackers," inspector general of Kenyan police David Kimaiyo said in a tweet. Kenyan soldiers stormed the building early on Monday, in what appeared to be a dramatic turn of events in the security forces' operation.
It is not clear as yet what caused the blasts, or what impact they are having on the operation to rescue hostages held by the militants, our correspondent reports. Television pictures showed troops running towards the complex. There were reports of heavy gunfire and explosions. Officials said about 10 attackers were thought to be inside.
"I work 400m away and I can see heavy black smoke," local resident Eric Onchangu told the BBC earlier. It is not clear as yet what caused the blasts, or what impact they are having on the operation to rescue hostages held by the militants.
"I can see a helicopter and we know there are lots of KDF [security forces] in the area - we have been warned to stay indoors as it's so dangerous," he added.
By Sunday night, Kenyan security forces said they had secured most of the shopping centre and that only a small number of hostages remained under the militants' control.
Repeated threatsRepeated threats
More than 1,000 people were inside the mall complex when the attack began on Saturday.More than 1,000 people were inside the mall complex when the attack began on Saturday.
Dr Sunil Sachdeva, a dentist who runs a clinic inside the mall, described the scene as the attack unfolded.Dr Sunil Sachdeva, a dentist who runs a clinic inside the mall, described the scene as the attack unfolded.
"There was a tent where a cookery competition for children was carrying on and there were bodies lying under there," he told the BBC."There was a tent where a cookery competition for children was carrying on and there were bodies lying under there," he told the BBC.
"There's a very famous radio presenter in Kenya, she was shot. The scene was carnage and there was a guy lying right in the corner. He was cut to shreds.""There's a very famous radio presenter in Kenya, she was shot. The scene was carnage and there was a guy lying right in the corner. He was cut to shreds."
Prominent Ghanaian poet Kofi Awoonor - who was attending a literary festival in Nairobi - also died, as did a Chinese woman.Prominent Ghanaian poet Kofi Awoonor - who was attending a literary festival in Nairobi - also died, as did a Chinese woman.
French, Dutch, South African, Indian and Canadian nationals are also among the foreigners confirmed killed, along with a dual Australian-British national.French, Dutch, South African, Indian and Canadian nationals are also among the foreigners confirmed killed, along with a dual Australian-British national.
Thousands of Kenyans have been responding to appeals for blood donations.Thousands of Kenyans have been responding to appeals for blood donations.
Al-Shabab says it carried out the attack in response to Kenyan military operations in Somalia.Al-Shabab says it carried out the attack in response to Kenyan military operations in Somalia.
The group, which is part of the al-Qaeda network, has repeatedly threatened attacks on Kenyan soil if Nairobi did not pull its troops out of Somalia.The group, which is part of the al-Qaeda network, has repeatedly threatened attacks on Kenyan soil if Nairobi did not pull its troops out of Somalia.
There are about 4,000 Kenyan troops in the south of Somalia, where they have been fighting the militants since 2011 as part of an African Union force supporting Somali government forces.There are about 4,000 Kenyan troops in the south of Somalia, where they have been fighting the militants since 2011 as part of an African Union force supporting Somali government forces.
Al-Shabab is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia.Al-Shabab is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia.
Despite being pushed out of key cities in the past two years, it still remains in control of smaller towns and large swathes of the countryside.Despite being pushed out of key cities in the past two years, it still remains in control of smaller towns and large swathes of the countryside.