Kenyan security forces launched a "major" assault late Sunday on the upscale Nairobi mall where an unknown number of hostages are being held by al-Qaida-linked militants, in an operation officials said would end thetwo-day standoff that had already killed 68 people.Within a few hours, a military spokesman said most of the hostages had been freed.
The assault, which began shortly before sundown, came as two
helicopters circled the mall, with one skimming very close to the roof. A
loud explosion rang, far larger than any previous grenade blast or gunfire volley.
Kenyan police said on Twitter that a "MAJOR" assault by security forces had started to end the two-day siege.
"This will end tonight. Our forces will prevail. Kenyans are standing
firm against aggression, and we will win," Kenya's Disaster Operations
Centre said on Twitter.
The assault came about 30 hours after 10 to 15 al-Shabab extremists
stormed the mall from two sides, throwing grenades and firing on
civilians. About 175 people were wounded in the attack.
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