This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-34879955

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Mali hotel attack: 'No more hostages' after special forces raid Mali hotel attack: 'No more hostages' after special forces raid
(35 minutes later)
Officials say suspected Islamist gunmen who stormed a hotel in Mali's capital, Bamako, have "no more hostages". Suspected Islamist gunmen who stormed a hotel in Mali's capital, Bamako, have "no more hostages", officials say.
The Radisson Blu Hotel was stormed by special forces after gunmen entered it and seized 170 people. At least 30 of the hostages are known to have escaped. The Radisson Blu Hotel was stormed by special forces after gunmen entered it and seized 170 people.
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its offshoot al-Murabitoun said they carried out the attack, according to an agency used by jihadists in the region.Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its offshoot al-Murabitoun said they carried out the attack, according to an agency used by jihadists in the region.
At least 18 people have died and two soldiers wounded. Reporters have been told that at least 18 people have died in the siege and two of the gunmen have been killed.
One of those killed was Geoffrey Dieudonne, a member of parliament in Belgium's Wallonia region.One of those killed was Geoffrey Dieudonne, a member of parliament in Belgium's Wallonia region.
A journalist in the lobby of the hotel told the BBC that hostages were leaving the hotel. It is not clear how many survived. Bamako-based journalist Francois Rihouay told the BBC that officials had said the operation was over, but during a live interview just before 17:00 GMT he heard shots being fired.
Security ministry spokesman Amadou Sangho told Reuters news agency that some of the gunmen were "dug in in the upper floors".
"They are alone with the Malian special forces who are trying to dislodge them."
Pictures show some of the hostages leaving the hotel were wounded; earlier, the interior minister said two soldiers had been injured.
The US-owned hotel is popular with foreign businesses and airline crews.The US-owned hotel is popular with foreign businesses and airline crews.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen had entered the hotel shooting and shouting "God is great!" in Arabic.Eyewitnesses said the gunmen had entered the hotel shooting and shouting "God is great!" in Arabic.
Before special forces stormed the building, a security source told Reuters that some hostages who were able to recite verses of the Koran were being freed.Before special forces stormed the building, a security source told Reuters that some hostages who were able to recite verses of the Koran were being freed.
Mali's presidency has tweeted (in French) thanking the security forces and friendly countries for their support in responding to the attacks.Mali's presidency has tweeted (in French) thanking the security forces and friendly countries for their support in responding to the attacks.
US special forces had helped in the hostage rescue operation. French special forces were also dispatched to the scene. US special forces helped in the hostage rescue operation. French special forces were also dispatched to the scene.
Malian security forces have been working their way up the building to where the gunmen were reportedly entrenched.
There is as yet no established link with the attacks in Paris one week ago that killed 130 people.There is as yet no established link with the attacks in Paris one week ago that killed 130 people.
In August, suspected Islamist gunmen killed 13 people, including five UN workers, during a hostage siege at a hotel in the central Malian town of Sevare.In August, suspected Islamist gunmen killed 13 people, including five UN workers, during a hostage siege at a hotel in the central Malian town of Sevare.
France, the former colonial power in Mali, intervened in the country in January 2013 when al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to march on Bamako after taking control of the north of the country. France, the former colonial power in Mali, intervened in the country in January 2013, when al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to march on Bamako after taking control of the north of the country.
Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has cut short a trip to a regional summit in Chad.Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has cut short a trip to a regional summit in Chad.
His French counterpart Francois Hollande said: "We should yet again stand firm and show our solidarity with a friendly country, Mali."His French counterpart Francois Hollande said: "We should yet again stand firm and show our solidarity with a friendly country, Mali."
The UN force in Mali took over responsibility for security in the country from French and African troops in July 2013, after the main towns in the north had been recaptured from the Islamist militants.The UN force in Mali took over responsibility for security in the country from French and African troops in July 2013, after the main towns in the north had been recaptured from the Islamist militants.
Militancy in Mali:Militancy in Mali:
Find out about Mali
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by what has been happening? Do you have any information you can share? If it is safe to do so, you can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by what has been happening? Do you have any information you can share? If it is safe to do so, you can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below