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Burkina Faso attack: Ouagadougou sees gunfire and explosion | Burkina Faso attack: Ouagadougou sees gunfire and explosion |
(35 minutes later) | |
Gunfire and an explosion have been heard near the army headquarters and the French embassy in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou. | Gunfire and an explosion have been heard near the army headquarters and the French embassy in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou. |
Witnesses have reported seeing armed men getting out of a car and opening fire before heading towards the embassy. | |
"An attack is under way," the French ambassador tweeted. | "An attack is under way," the French ambassador tweeted. |
Pictures from the scene showed a cloud of black smoke rising into the sky. It is unclear who is behind the violence. | |
The national police have issued a statement saying special forces are in action. | The national police have issued a statement saying special forces are in action. |
A statement on the French embassy's Facebook page said it was not clear which locations are being targeted. | |
It appears to be a twin assault as the city's military barracks and the embassy are about one kilometre (half a mile) apart. | |
The US embassy in the city has advised people to seek shelter. | The US embassy in the city has advised people to seek shelter. |
Ouagadougou has suffered two major attacks by Islamist militants in the last two years. | Ouagadougou has suffered two major attacks by Islamist militants in the last two years. |
The West African country also saw a failed coup in 2015. The trial for dozens of the alleged perpetrators began earlier this week but was suspended after defence lawyers walked out in protest against the military court. | The West African country also saw a failed coup in 2015. The trial for dozens of the alleged perpetrators began earlier this week but was suspended after defence lawyers walked out in protest against the military court. |
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