Somali forces are battling to regain control of a hotel seized by militants in the centre of the capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday evening.
At least four people have been killed and dozens more injured in the siege which has lasted more than 12 hours.
Witnesses have told the BBC of hearing multiple explosions and heavy gunfire coming from the popular Villa Rose hotel near the presidential palace.
The al-Qaeda affiliated group al-Shabab has said it carried out the attack.
The Villa Rose Guest hotel is popular with government officials and several ministers have confirmed being rescued.
At least one minister, Mohamed Ahmed, is reported to have been injured while another, Environment Minister Adam Aw Hirsi, told reporters he had survived the attack.
Al-Shabab has continued to carry out attacks in central and southern Somalia despite recent government troops backed by African Union forces and local militias retaking areas previously captured by the group.
An unknown number of assailants, armed with explosives and guns, were involved, police officers told Reuters news agency.
One eyewitness described hearing a "huge blast, followed by a heavy exchange of gunfire".
"We were shaken," Ahmed Abdullahi, who lives close to the scene, told the news agency. "We are just indoors, listening to gunfire."
Some government officials were rescued from Villa Rose after using windows to escape, said police officer Mohammed Abdi.
In August, three months after taking office, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pledged "total war" against the Islamist militants following an attack on another popular Mogadishu hotel. More than 20 people died.
Two months later, twin car bomb explosions near a busy junction in Mogadishu killed at least 100 people. Al-Shabab also said it was behind that attack.
President Mohamud subsequently mobilised the Somali army and government-backed clan militias in a bid to take villages and towns from al-Shabab, which controls large swathes of the country.
BBC Africa correspondent Andrew Harding recently spent time with the so-called "lightning" brigade, which is funded by the US and plays a central role in the uprising against al-Shabab.
Al-Shabab has a long history of targeting hotelsknown to be frequented by government officials and foreigners.
The militant group's central aim is to topple Somalia's government and establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Latest Stories
-
Paramount Chief of Jama Traditional Area extends market days at Jama Moonyoa Market to boost trade
10 mins -
I’m focused on building quality human resource to push development – Paramount Chief of Jama Traditional Jama Area
23 mins -
The Saviour Church of Ghana donates to victims of Akosombo Dam spillage in Volta and Eastern regions
44 mins -
Ofori-Atta optimistic Ghana will reach a deal with China by next week for IMF to approve $600m bailout package
55 mins -
Police arrest 7 after Sampa shooting left one dead
55 mins -
Currency managers in West Africa explore innovative ways to safeguard value of currencies
1 hour -
Afriwave Telecom revamped Teshie Orphanage Library to a modern standard
1 hour -
Payment industry records significant growth in 2022; value of interbank transactions up 20.24% – BoG
1 hour -
I was paid GH₵20 for a movie role in my early days in the 70s – Fred Amugi
2 hours -
COP28: Historic Loss and Damage Fund adopted at opening plenary
2 hours -
Co-creation crucial for Africa’s sustainable growth – Health Expert affirms
2 hours -
Three ex-convicts jailed 18 months for stealing cassava worth GH₵1,800
2 hours -
2024 Budget has nothing to do with accessing $600m from IMF – Bokpin
3 hours -
Kosmos Energy Ghana provides fully furnished 60-bed dormitory for Ashanti School for the Deaf/Blind
3 hours -
Kissi Agyebeng should have applied the law before calling a press conference- GBA
3 hours