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20 reported killed in Burkina Faso hotel attack 20 reported killed in Burkina Faso hotel attack
(35 minutes later)
Gunfire and explosions have erupted in Burkina Faso’s capital as security forces battled militant fighters who were holding hostages at one of Ouagadougou’s most prominent hotels. There were reports that 20 people had been killed. Security forces have stormed a hotel in Burkina Faso’s capital where suspected Islamic militant fighters have been holding hostages.
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the ongoing attack. It follows a deadly raid on a hotel in Mali last November, as well as attacks by militants in other countries in west Africa. Up to 20 people are reported to have been killed and 15 wounded in explosions and gunfire around the hotel in Ouagadougou, which witnesses have reported is now partly on fire.
The gunmen stormed the five-storey Splendid hotel in Ouagadougou’s business district, 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) claimed responsibility for the ongoing attack on the Splendid hotel. It follows a deadly raid on a hotel in neighbouring Mali last November, as well as attacks by militants in other countries in west Africa.
The militants took control of the five-storey Splendid hotel in Ouagadougou’s business district, burning cars outside and firing in the air to drive back crowds before security forces arrived, prompting an intense exchange of gunfire.
Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou’s university hospital centre, said: “We have received around 15 wounded people. There are people with bullet wounds and people who are injured because of falls.” He said that the injured patients had told him they had seen around 20 bodies in the hotel.Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou’s university hospital centre, said: “We have received around 15 wounded people. There are people with bullet wounds and people who are injured because of falls.” He said that the injured patients had told him they had seen around 20 bodies in the hotel.
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 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 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.”
France’s ambassador to the country said a curfew had been put in place in Ouagadougou from 2300 GMT to 0600. Gilles Thibault said on his Twitter account that 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. Both the hotel and the cafe are popular with United Nations staff and foreigners. It is located in a busy central area of the capital, not far from the airport.
France’s ambassador to the country said a curfew had been put in place in Ouagadougou from 2300 GMT to 0600. Gilles Thibault said on his Twitter account that 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 west African country, according to foreign ministry data.
Describing the assault on the Splendid hotel as a “terrorist attack”, the embassy earlier told French nationals to say at home and avoid the area.Describing the assault on the Splendid hotel as a “terrorist attack”, the embassy 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.”
It is understood to be the first time militants have targeted Ouagadougou.
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, 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, 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.”
Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, has been in turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso’s November election ushered in new leaders.Burkina Faso, a largely Muslim country, has been in turmoil since its longtime president was ousted in a popular uprising in late 2014. Last September members of a presidential guard launched a coup that lasted only about a week. The transitional government returned to power until Burkina Faso’s November election ushered in new leaders.