U.S. Embassy Aware Of Mali Hostage Situation

Americans in the west African nation of Mali are being asked to shelter in place after gunmen attacked a luxury hotel in the capital city and took hostages.

The Radisson hotel chain says two armed men are holding 140 guests and 30 employees hostage.

Soldiers have the hotel surrounded with the help of UN troops.

The U.S. Embassy in Mali is calling it an "ongoing active shooter operation."

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident in the former French colony, but there are reports that the gunmen stormed the building shouting "God is great" in Arabic.

There are also reports that shots have been fired, but there's no word on any injuries at this point.