Gunmen Take Hostages In Mali

A hostage situation is underway in the west African nation of Mali.

The morning started off with two armed men holding 140 guests and 30 employees hostage inside a Radisson hotel.

The U.S. Embassy in Mali is calling this an "ongoing active shooter operation," and soldiers have the hotel surrounded with the help of U.N. troops.

The latest news reports that at least three people are dead, including a French national, as the gunmen shot their way into the hotel.

The U.S. Embassy in Mali is now asking all Americans in the area to take shelter. Meanwhile, a security source said that some of the hostages were let go after being forced to recite verses from the Koran. At this point, 80 hostages have been released.