Armed Islamists are storming a hotel in the city of Beledvein in Central Somalia, and the siege continues, police and witnesses said.
Al-Shabab's attack began with an outburst of a car bomb, followed by artillerymen entering the hotel, leading to intense clashes with security forces.
Police said at least four people had been killed, but witnesses told the BBC that the death rate had increased to 10, with security forces still fighting the artillerymen at the Qahira Hotel.
Al-Shabab, who has been linked to al-Qaeda, has been leading a brutal uprising in Somalia for more than two decades.
The raid on the hotel was held as politicians, security officers and traditional elders met to discuss plans for the offensive against the group in Central Somalia.
Beledweyne is about 335 km (208 miles) north of the capital, Mogadishu, and is a strategic place in the campaign against Al-Shabab.
Police official Ali Mahad said many of the attendees were rescued, reports AFP news agency
“Security forces are dealing with several artillerymen who are in an angle in one part of the building,” he quoted.
Federal MP from Beledweyne, Dahir Amin Jesow, told the BBC that nearly seven gunners are in the hotel.
“It will be necessary to bring forces with a heavy weapon to neutralize the situation,” he said.
Parts of the hotel were reduced to ruins as government forces and artillery exchanged fire, said store Ali Suleiman, who witnessed the attack, told Reuters news agency.
“We first heard a huge blast, followed by shooting, then a more explosion was heard,” he said.
It is not clear how many people were injured, but the legislator said they were trying to organize planes to fly victims to Mogadishu for treatment.