Somali Shebab militants have this morning threatened to kill hostages they are holding in a Nairobi shopping mall as Kenyan troops move to end their siege.
In a statement posted on an Islamist website, a group which claims to be in contact with the fighters inside the mall said the "prisoners will bear the brunt of any force directed against the mujahedeen"
As the stand-off enters its third day, sustained bursts of rapid gunfire have been reported, followed by three big explosions.
Kenya's military says it has rescued most of the remaining hostages - however they have admitted they do not know how many people are being held.
68 people are confirmed dead and more than 200 have been wounded.
Army spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna explains why they took the decision to go in:
