This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/15/security-forces-battle-suspected-jihadists-in-burkina-faso-capital

The article has changed 34 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Al-Qaida group claims responsibility for hotel siege in Burkina Faso capital At least 20 reported killed in Burkina Faso hotel attack
(35 minutes later)
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility for an ongoing attack on a hotel in Burkina Faso’s capital, according to a report by SITE Intelligence Group. Twenty people have been killed in an attack by suspected Islamist militants on a hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso on Friday, according to the director of the university hospital who spoke to patients wounded in the attack.
Gunfire and explosions erupted in Burkina Faso’s capital as security forces battled suspected militant fighters outside one of Ouagadougou’s main hotels. “We have received around 15 wounded people. There are people with bullet wounds and people who are injured because of falls,” said Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou’s university hospital centre.
Witnesses said the gunmen stormed the the four-storey Splendid hotel, burning cars outside and firing in the air to drive back crowds before security forces arrived, prompting an intense exchange of gunfire. Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility for the attack on one of Ouagadougou’s main hotels, according to a report by SITE Intelligence Group.
Gunfire and explosions erupted as security forces battled suspected militant fighters outside the four-storey Splendid hotel.
Witnesses said the gunmen stormed the hotel, burning cars outside and firing in the air to drive back crowds before security forces arrived, prompting an intense exchange of gunfire.
One witness told Associated Press that he saw four men attack the hotel and neighbouring Cappuccino Cafe at about 7.30pm local time. Another witness said that when security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.One witness told Associated Press that he saw four men attack the hotel and neighbouring Cappuccino Cafe at about 7.30pm local time. Another witness said that when security forces first arrived, they turned around rather than confront the attackers.
“But we know that the gunmen won’t get out of the hotel alive,” he said. “Our country is not for jihadis or terrorists. They got it wrong.”“But we know that the gunmen won’t get out of the hotel alive,” he said. “Our country is not for jihadis or terrorists. They got it wrong.”
A curfew has been put in place in Ouagadougou from 2300 GMT to 0600, France’s ambassador to the country said. Gilles Thibault said on his Twitter account the attack in its former colony was ongoing and that the embassy had set up a crisis unit for its citizens. More than 3,500 French nationals live in the country, according to foreign ministry data.A curfew has been put in place in Ouagadougou from 2300 GMT to 0600, France’s ambassador to the country said. Gilles Thibault said on his Twitter account the attack in its former colony was ongoing and that the embassy had set up a crisis unit for its citizens. More than 3,500 French nationals live in the country, according to foreign ministry data.
Describing the assault on the Splendid hotel in the capital’s business district as a “terrorist attack”, the embassy had earlier told French nationals to say at home and avoid the area.Describing the assault on the Splendid hotel in the capital’s business district as a “terrorist attack”, the embassy had earlier told French nationals to say at home and avoid the area.
The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamic militants across Africa’s vast, arid Sahel region.The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamic militants across Africa’s vast, arid Sahel region.
Asking not to be named, a senior official with the national gendarmes said: “It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions. Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours.”Asking not to be named, a senior official with the national gendarmes said: “It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions. Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours.”
A senior member of AQIM had in December called for Muslims in several countries, including Burkina Faso, to wage jihad. AQIM, along with two other groups, also claimed responsibility for killing 20 people and taking hostages in the capital of neighbouring Mali in November.A senior member of AQIM had in December called for Muslims in several countries, including Burkina Faso, to wage jihad. AQIM, along with two other groups, also claimed responsibility for killing 20 people and taking hostages in the capital of neighbouring Mali in November.
The US embassy in Ouagadougou tweeted: “We are closely following the situation downtown.”The US embassy in Ouagadougou tweeted: “We are closely following the situation downtown.”
Jihadis have attacked hotels before in neighbouring Mali, including an assault on the Radisson Blu hotel in November that left 20 people dead, although Burkina Faso has largely been spared such violence.Jihadis have attacked hotels before in neighbouring Mali, including an assault on the Radisson Blu hotel in November that left 20 people dead, although Burkina Faso has largely been spared such violence.