Two gunmen attacked the Radisson Blu hotel early on Friday in Mali's capital of Bamako, and are holding 170 hostages, including 140 guests and 30 employees, Agence France-Presse reported.
"The attack is ongoing," said United Nations spokesman Olivier Salgado in a telephonic conversation from Bamako. "What we know is that the attackers are in the hotel and have automatic weapons."
U.N. forces, who have taken over the responsibility for security in the nation, and Malian government troops have arrived at the scene and all roads leading up to the luxury hotel have been barricaded.
The U.S. embassy in the West African nation's capital confirmed the attack by tweeting that it was "aware of an ongoing active shooter operation at the Radisson Hotel" and advised all American citizens to "shelter in place" and encouraged them to "contact their families," according to BBC News.
In August, Islamist militants linked to Al Qaeda attacked a hotel in Mali's central town of Sevare and took several hostages. The attack left eight people dead, including four solders, three militants and a U.N staff member, as HNGN previously reported.
SECURITY MESSSAGE (1/4) The Embassy is aware of an ongoing active shooter operation at the Radisson Hotel.
— U.S. Embassy Bamako (@USEmbassyMali) November 20, 2015
SECURITY MESSAGE (2/4) The U.S. Embassy staff has been asked to shelter in place. All U.S. citizens should shelter in place. — U.S. Embassy Bamako (@USEmbassyMali) November 20, 2015
SECURITY MESSAGE (3/4) Private U.S. citizens are encouraged to contact their families.
— U.S. Embassy Bamako (@USEmbassyMali) November 20, 2015
SECURITY MSG 4/4 Monitor local media for updates. US citizens should adhere to the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media — U.S. Embassy Bamako (@USEmbassyMali) November 20, 2015
