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-34895019

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Mali hotel attack: The unanswered questions Mali hotel attack: The unanswered questions
(about 5 hours later)
Two days after the deadly attack on the luxury Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Bamako, there is a lot we still do not know.Two days after the deadly attack on the luxury Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Bamako, there is a lot we still do not know.
Who carried out the attack?Who carried out the attack?
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and its offshoot al-Murabitoun have both said they were behind it but some doubt remains.Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and its offshoot al-Murabitoun have both said they were behind it but some doubt remains.
Most analysts say veteran Algerian jihadist Mokhtar Belmokhtar was involved but until now, it was thought that the al-Murabitoun leader had split from AQIM.Most analysts say veteran Algerian jihadist Mokhtar Belmokhtar was involved but until now, it was thought that the al-Murabitoun leader had split from AQIM.
However the alliances of the various armed groups operating in the lawless deserts of northern Mali and Niger, and southern Algeria and Libya, are constantly changing.However the alliances of the various armed groups operating in the lawless deserts of northern Mali and Niger, and southern Algeria and Libya, are constantly changing.
Some of these groups have a global jihadist ideology.Some of these groups have a global jihadist ideology.
Some are Tuareg separatists, others make money by trafficking drugs, people and weapons across the Sahara desert, while some offer their services to the highest bidder.Some are Tuareg separatists, others make money by trafficking drugs, people and weapons across the Sahara desert, while some offer their services to the highest bidder.
Some suggest that increased pressure from French special forces deployed in Mali since 2013 may have pushed Belmokhtar back into working with al-Qaeda.Some suggest that increased pressure from French special forces deployed in Mali since 2013 may have pushed Belmokhtar back into working with al-Qaeda.
Adding to the confusion, the Macina Liberation Front (MLF) has now said it was behind the attack. The MLF is a relatively new Islamist group formed by ethnic Fulanis, based in central Mali.Adding to the confusion, the Macina Liberation Front (MLF) has now said it was behind the attack. The MLF is a relatively new Islamist group formed by ethnic Fulanis, based in central Mali.
How many attackers were there?How many attackers were there?
It is not clear.It is not clear.
Officials say two gunmen have been killed.Officials say two gunmen have been killed.
But while some say only two attackers entered the Radisson Blu hotel, witnesses have been quoted as saying there were up to 13.But while some say only two attackers entered the Radisson Blu hotel, witnesses have been quoted as saying there were up to 13.
Malian officials say they are looking for "at least" three suspects, even though they have not specified whether they are believed to have taken part in the attack, or helped plan it.Malian officials say they are looking for "at least" three suspects, even though they have not specified whether they are believed to have taken part in the attack, or helped plan it.
The attack appears to have been well-planned, with guards quoted as saying it was timed at the end of their night shift and they had put their weapons down.The attack appears to have been well-planned, with guards quoted as saying it was timed at the end of their night shift and they had put their weapons down.
The attackers drove a vehicle with diplomatic number plates, which is also evidence of careful preparation - and possible evidence that more than just two people would have been deployed to stage an attack on a high-profile target, which had been thought of as being fairly secure.The attackers drove a vehicle with diplomatic number plates, which is also evidence of careful preparation - and possible evidence that more than just two people would have been deployed to stage an attack on a high-profile target, which had been thought of as being fairly secure.
Who were the attackers?Who were the attackers?
French investigators are carrying out forensic tests on the bodies of the gunmen but so far, no information has been released.French investigators are carrying out forensic tests on the bodies of the gunmen but so far, no information has been released.
Officials say this is to avoid compromising the investigation.Officials say this is to avoid compromising the investigation.
Witnesses described one attacker as dark-skinned and another light-skinned - usually the case with those linked to the Sahara-based jihadi groups.Witnesses described one attacker as dark-skinned and another light-skinned - usually the case with those linked to the Sahara-based jihadi groups.
One security source in Mali told the BBC that the two dead gunmen had been speaking English during the attack, however their identities, or even nationalities, have not yet been established.One security source in Mali told the BBC that the two dead gunmen had been speaking English during the attack, however their identities, or even nationalities, have not yet been established.
Another source told AFP they believed the attackers were foreigners, without giving further details.Another source told AFP they believed the attackers were foreigners, without giving further details.
Famous Guinean singer Sekouba "Bambino" Diabate, who was staying in the hotel, says he heard attackers speaking in English "with a Nigerian accent".Famous Guinean singer Sekouba "Bambino" Diabate, who was staying in the hotel, says he heard attackers speaking in English "with a Nigerian accent".
This raises the spectre of Nigeria's Boko Haram militant group working with other West African jihadists.This raises the spectre of Nigeria's Boko Haram militant group working with other West African jihadists.
However, Boko Haram is part of Islamic State and so it would be a surprise if it was working with al-Qaeda linked militants, as the two groups are rivals.However, Boko Haram is part of Islamic State and so it would be a surprise if it was working with al-Qaeda linked militants, as the two groups are rivals.
Was there a link to the Paris attacks?Was there a link to the Paris attacks?
This is possible, but there is no evidence. The Paris attacks were carried out by militants linked to Islamic State.This is possible, but there is no evidence. The Paris attacks were carried out by militants linked to Islamic State.
But France has some 1,000 troops based in Mali and retains extensive business links to its former colony.But France has some 1,000 troops based in Mali and retains extensive business links to its former colony.
Some Malian jihadi leaders have threatened to attack French interests.Some Malian jihadi leaders have threatened to attack French interests.
This, however, is the third attack in Mali this year claimed by al-Murabitoun.This, however, is the third attack in Mali this year claimed by al-Murabitoun.
Alongside other Islamist groups, it has been operating in the country since 2011, so the timing is likely to be a coincidence.Alongside other Islamist groups, it has been operating in the country since 2011, so the timing is likely to be a coincidence.
The UN peacekeeping operation in the country has lost more personnel in recent years than any other such mission.The UN peacekeeping operation in the country has lost more personnel in recent years than any other such mission.
Who were the victims?Who were the victims?
At least 19 people were killed: The BBC has been sent this list of the victims by a security source in Mali:
They were foreign guests staying at this luxury hotel, which was popular with business people and international air crews. Many were foreign guests staying at this luxury hotel, which was popular with business people and international air crews.
Many of those killed are reported to have been shot dead while trying to escape the attackers in a lift. Several of those killed are reported to have been shot dead while trying to escape the attackers in a lift.