Kenya Hostages, Terrorist Standoff Continues

Kenya hostages continued to be held by terrorists, with extended gunfire and several large explosions being reported this morning.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the Westgate Shopping Center in Nairobi, Kenya was attacked Saturday.

As of Monday morning, progress had been made in isolating the terrorists claiming to be from the Somali group al-Shabab. Outside of the Kenya hostage situation, more than 175 people have so far been injured in the conflict, including many children. Purportedly, non-Muslims are the specific target of the terrorists.

Military and police forces have worked to surround the mall, and many buildings have been placed on lock down. Authorities claim they have the terrorist confined to one area of the mall, and more Kenyan hostages have been recovered.

The attackers appear to be well-armed, with grenades, automatic fire, and AK-47’s at their disposal. Kenyan officials have attempted to negotiate with the groups, but al-Shabab tweeted in response to the offers:

We’ll not negotiate with the Kenyan govt as long as its forces are invading our country, so reap the bitter fruits of your harvest

Al-Shabab claims the Kenya hostage attack is in retaliation for Kenya’s forces pushing into Somalia in 2011.

M.P. Shah Hospital Chairman Manoj Shah reports the damage he has received at his hospital to be extensive including 128 patients and 28 surgeries in the first 24 hours of the attack.

Fatalities from the conflict cross borders and among the dead are Kenyans, British, French, Canadians, a Ghanaian, and Chinese.

Kenyan media reported Sunday that several people have managed to escape the mall unscathed.

What do you think of the Kenya hostage situation?