The government has condemned the attack on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, the capital of Mali, which reportedly claimed the lives of 27 people on Friday.
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“6 USA citizens rescued so far in #Mali”.
Gunmen armed with grenades took about 170 people hostage, but the siege was ended in late afternoon by Malian troops assisted by USA and French special forces.
Although Malian forces cleared the hotel of gunmen, one US service member – among the five Americans on location – stepped in to assist first responders with hostage recovery, the official said.
Seven people were injured, including at least two Malian police officers.
“Tonight the death toll is heavy”, Keita said on state television, declaring a 10-day state of emergency and three days of national mourning.
The former French colony has been battling rebels for several years, and the militant group Al Mourabitoun, allied to Al Qaeda and based in the deserts of northern Mali, claimed responsibility for the attack in a tweet.
The US military was providing airlift support and aerial reconnaissance support to French forces in Mali under a 2013 agreement, Africa Command said.
Attackers loyal to Islamic State killed 129 people in a series of shootings and explosions in Paris on November 13, in the worst atrocity in Europe in nearly a decade. “As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees”, said the company. The NY Times newspaper reports “the hostage takers had been releasing Muslims and continuing to hold non-Muslims”.
Please let us know what you think of the terrorism in Bamako.
Automatic weapons fire could be heard from outside as the militants attacked the 190-room hotel, the agency reported.
Mr Hollande said: “We should yet again stand firm and show our solidarity with a friendly country, Mali”.
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) – Malian army commander, Modibo Nama Traore, says Malian special forces have entered the hotel and are freeing hostages “floor by floor”.
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A paramedic said three security guards had been wounded, including one who was in a critical condition after being shot.
