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-34897745

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

Version 1 Version 2
Mali hotel attack: Three days of national mourning begin Mali hotel attack: Three days of national mourning begin
(about 5 hours later)
Mali has begun three days of national mourning following Friday's militant Islamist attack on a hotel in the capital, Bamako, in which 19 people were killed. Mali has begun three days of national mourning following Friday's militant Islamist attack on a hotel in the capital, Bamako, in which at least 19 people were killed.
Malian and international troops stormed the Radisson Blu hotel to free guests and staff being held hostage. Two gunmen were killed.Malian and international troops stormed the Radisson Blu hotel to free guests and staff being held hostage. Two gunmen were killed.
Two separate Islamist groups have said they carried out the attack. Three different Islamist groups have said they carried out the attack.
Investigators have yet to determine the number and nationality of the gunmen.Investigators have yet to determine the number and nationality of the gunmen.
However, one security source in Mali told the BBC officials believed that the two dead gunmen had been speaking English during the attack. However, one security source in Mali told the BBC that officials believed that the two dead gunmen had been speaking English during the attack.
The source said six of the dead were Malian, including one gendarme. Thirteen foreign nationals are confirmed dead. A source has told the AFP new agency they were not Malians.
Ahead of the three days of national mourning, the chairman of the West African regional bloc Ecowas, Senegal's President Macky Sall, visited Bamako to show support.Ahead of the three days of national mourning, the chairman of the West African regional bloc Ecowas, Senegal's President Macky Sall, visited Bamako to show support.
He said on Sunday: "Mali will never be alone in this fight, we are all committed because we are all involved."He said on Sunday: "Mali will never be alone in this fight, we are all committed because we are all involved."
Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea are also observing the mourning.Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea are also observing the mourning.
Two militant Islamist groups have said they carried out the attack. The victims
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its affiliate, al-Murabitoun, said they were responsible. A spokesman told al-Jazeera two Malian gunmen had carried out the attack. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its affiliate, al-Murabitoun, have both said they were responsible for the attack. A spokesman told al-Jazeera two Malian gunmen had carried out the attack.
However, the Macina Liberation Front, which has been blamed for attacks in southern Mali, also claimed responsibility. Now, the Macina Liberation Front (MLF) which has been blamed for attacks in southern Mali, has said its fighters carried it out.
Security remains tight around major hotels in Bamako.Security remains tight around major hotels in Bamako.
Gunmen entered the hotel on Friday morning, shooting and driving their vehicle through a security barrier, one eyewitness said.Gunmen entered the hotel on Friday morning, shooting and driving their vehicle through a security barrier, one eyewitness said.
Most of the hotel guests and staff were freed hours later when Malian special forces, French special forces and off-duty US servicemen stormed the hotel to end the siege.Most of the hotel guests and staff were freed hours later when Malian special forces, French special forces and off-duty US servicemen stormed the hotel to end the siege.
The victims Analysis - Tomi Oladipo, BBC Africa security correspondent
The MLF is a new jihadist group operating in central and southern Mali.
It is led by the radical Muslim cleric Amadou Kouffa, a strong proponent of strict Islamic law in Mali.
His group draws most of its support from the Fulani ethnic group, who are found across the Sahel.
Mr Kouffa is a close ally of Tuareg jihadist Iyad ag Ghali, who leads the powerful jihadist group Ansar Dine.
A Human Rights Watch report said the MLF militants had carried out serious abuses in parts of central Mali since January and killed at least five people they accused of being aligned to the government.
The group has attacked police and military particularly in the Mopti region, most recently killing three soldiers in Tenenkou in August.
The Malian military recently arrested Alaye Bocari, a man they say was a key MLF financier and Mr Kouffa's right-hand man.
Why Mali is an insurgent hotspotWhy Mali is an insurgent hotspot
Who are al-Murabitoun?
Mali: World's most dangerous peacekeeping mission
Find out about MaliFind out about Mali