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Burkina Faso hotel siege 'over' amid reports of new attack Burkina Faso hotel siege 'over' amid reports of new attack
(35 minutes later)
A siege is over at a Burkina Faso hotel seized by suspected Islamist gunmen, the government says, but reports say a nearby hotel is now under attack. A siege at a Burkina Faso hotel seized by suspected Islamist militants is over, the authorities say, amid reports of an attack on a second hotel.
In all, 126 hostages were freed at the Splendid Hotel in the West African state's capital, Ouagadougou, the interior minister said. The assault on the Splendid Hotel in the West African state's capital, Ouagadougou, killed at least 23 people of 18 different nationalities.
Three gunmen were killed, he added, amid reports of 20 deaths during the attack, which also targeted a cafe. Four attackers were killed, two of them women, officials said.
French special forces are helping local troops in the security operation. The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) militant group has announced that it carried out the attack.
French President Francois Hollande has condemned the "odious" attack on the former French colony. Bukinabe President Roch Kabore arrived at the scene on Saturday morning amid right security.
The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group says it carried out the attack. French President Francois Hollande condemned the "odious" attack on the capital of the former French colony. French troops helped their Burkinabe colleagues during the security operation.
In November, an AQIM attack on a hotel in the Malian capital Bamako left 19 people dead.In November, an AQIM attack on a hotel in the Malian capital Bamako left 19 people dead.
Militants seeking to dominate regional jihad - Tomi Oladipo, BBC Africa security correspondentMilitants seeking to dominate regional jihad - Tomi Oladipo, BBC Africa security correspondent
The numerous armed groups in the Sahel often take advantage of the porous borders and weak regional security to establish their violent campaigns.The numerous armed groups in the Sahel often take advantage of the porous borders and weak regional security to establish their violent campaigns.
A recently consolidated AQIM - since mending relations with its offshoot, the al-Murabitoun group - is keen to cement its status as the dominant jihadist group in North Africa and the Sahel, particularly with the rise of its rival, the so-called Islamic State, in the region.A recently consolidated AQIM - since mending relations with its offshoot, the al-Murabitoun group - is keen to cement its status as the dominant jihadist group in North Africa and the Sahel, particularly with the rise of its rival, the so-called Islamic State, in the region.
AQIM made this point in its purported attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako in November. Mali has been a key theatre of operation but now its southern neighbour, Burkina Faso, is the latest victim.AQIM made this point in its purported attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako in November. Mali has been a key theatre of operation but now its southern neighbour, Burkina Faso, is the latest victim.
Burkina Faso is only just moving on from a political crisis. Its new President, Roch Kabore, has only been in office for three weeks and already has his hands full.Burkina Faso is only just moving on from a political crisis. Its new President, Roch Kabore, has only been in office for three weeks and already has his hands full.
Gunmen attacked the Splendid and the nearby Cappuccino cafe on Friday evening, setting off several explosions. Both places are popular with UN staff and foreigners. Militants attacked the Splendid and the nearby Cappuccino cafe on Friday evening, setting off several explosions. Both places are popular with UN staff and foreigners.
An unnamed security source told AFP news agency that 22 people had been killed in the attacks while hospital chief Robert Sangare quoted survivors as saying at least 20 people had died. Interior Minister Simon Compaore said 10 bodies had been found on the cafe terrace alone.
Interior Minister Simon Compaore said 10 bodies had been found on the cafe terrace. He added that 126 hostages had been freed, with 33 of them injured. Among those freed is the country's Minister of Public Works, Clement Sawadogo.
He added that 33 of the freed hostages were injured. Among those freed was the country's Minister of Public Works, Clement Sawadogo. As the end of the siege was being announced, reports came in that militants had taken up position at the Yibi hotel, a short distance away on the same street in Ouagadougou.
As the end of the siege was being announced, reports came in that gunmen had taken up position at the Yibi hotel, a short distance away on the same street in Ouagadougou. One of the attackers was killed at the Yibi, officials said.
Remi Dandjinou, the Burkinabe communications minister, told the BBC earlier that between six and seven gunmen had attacked the Splendid, adding that they had been staying at the hotel as guests. Remi Dandjinou, the Burkinabe communications minister, told the BBC earlier that between six and seven militants had attacked the Splendid, adding that they had been staying at the hotel as guests.
Interior Minister Compaore described the three gunmen killed as two black Africans and an Arab. Interior Minister Compaore said two black Africans and an Arab were among the militants killed.
New president 'Political fragility'
Burkina Faso recently held its first presidential election since a coup earlier last year with Roch Kabore taking office. Burkina Faso 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."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.""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."
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