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Ouagadougou blasts: Burkina Faso capital hit by gunfire Burkina Faso attack: Ouagadougou hotel hit by gunfire
(35 minutes later)
Gunmen have attacked a hotel used by westerners in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, in west Africa.Gunmen have attacked a hotel used by westerners in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, in west Africa.
Eyewitnesses said two car bombs went off outside the Splendid hotel at around 19:30 local time (same as GMT).Eyewitnesses said two car bombs went off outside the Splendid hotel at around 19:30 local time (same as GMT).
Three to four masked men then stormed the Splendid Hotel, which is used by UN staff and westerners, witnesses said.Three to four masked men then stormed the Splendid Hotel, which is used by UN staff and westerners, witnesses said.
Local media report that at least one person has been taken hostage inside the building. There is not yet any indication of casualties. A member of staff at the nearby Cappuccino cafe told Agence France Presse that "several people" had been killed there.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing exchanges of gunfire between the men and security forces, as well as sporadic gunfire from inside the hotel. At least one car was seen burning outside the building. Local media report that at least one person has been taken hostage inside the building.
Three hours after the attack started, an AP reporter at the scene reported seeing soldiers in an armoured vehicle arrive in the area. One jihadi monitoring group said al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed it was behind the attack.
Reports suggest the nearby Cappucino cafe was also attacked. Eyewitnesses reported hearing exchanges of gunfire between the men and security forces, as well as sporadic gunfire from inside the four-star hotel close to the country's international airport.
The four-star hotel is located close to the country's international airport. At least one car was seen burning outside the building.
Local TV station Burkina 24 said that security forces were preparing to intervene. Three hours after the attack started, an Associated Press reporter at the scene reported seeing soldiers in an armoured vehicle arrive in the area.
The US embassy in Ouagadougou said it was aware of the incident and was "closely following" the situation. In the latest developments:
A similar attack by Islamist militants in neighbouring Mali in November left 20 people dead. A similar attack by Islamist militants on a hotel in neighbouring Mali in November left 20 people dead.
Burkina Faso had recently held its first presidential election since a coup earlier last year.Burkina Faso had recently held its first presidential election since a coup earlier last year.
That coup toppled long-time leader Blaise Compaore, who had governed for 27 years.That coup toppled long-time leader Blaise Compaore, who had governed for 27 years.
"We are still in a context of political fragility, so I think the timing of this attack is meaningful," Cynthia Ohayon, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, told the BBC from Ouagadougou.
"The country has long borders with Mali and Niger, and we know there are armed groups present on the border, so this was probably something we had coming."
Are you in the area? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in the area? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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