Heavily armed Islamic extremists seized dozens of hostages Friday at a Radisson hotel, but Malian troops, backed by US and French special forces, swarmed in to retake the building and free numerous terrified captives. In March, masked gunmen shot up a Bamako restaurant popular with foreigners, killing five people.
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He said a Malian gendarme was among the dead. He said two militants also died.
A clerk for the House of Commons and an employee of Quebec’s national assembly were both in the hotel at the time of the attacks.
He says the U.S.is “prepared to assist the Malian government in the coming days as it investigates this tragic terrorist attack”. “They forced the first barrier”, head of security Seydou Dembele told Reuters.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, citing its diplomats in Mali, reported about 10 Chinese citizens took shelter in their rooms, and all were safe. Security forces are going from room to room checking for more casualties.
The hotel was hosting delegations attending peace talks. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack.
The former French colony has been battling Islamist rebels for several years, and the jihadist group Al Mourabitoun, allied to al Qaeda and based in the deserts of northern Mali, claimed responsibility for the attack in a tweet.
Northern Mali was occupied by Islamist fighters, a few with links to al Qaeda, for most of 2012. The statement issued Friday said the Mourabitounes had attacked in coordination with the “Sahara Emirate” affiliated with al-Qaida.
The United Nations mission said it was sending security reinforcements. It did not specify how many soldiers were involved.
The guests at the sprawling, cream-and-pink luxury hotel came from many countries, but the attack was perceived by many in France, particularly in the government, as a new attack on French interests.
US military personnel already stationed in the country have been helping take people from the hotel to safety.
A unit of French soldiers was sent to Bamako in support of Malian security forces, the French Defense Ministry said.
“They started firing at the tables”, he said.
US special forces assisted, said Col. Mark Cheadle of the U.S. Army’s Africa Command.
Minister of Internal Security Colonel Salif Traoré said the gunmen burst through a hotel security barrier at 7 a.m. (0700 GMT), spraying the area with gunfire and shouting “Allahu Akbar”, or “God is great” in Arabic.
The Radisson Blu hotel marked in blue, and the USA embassy in red.
Regional news agencies pointed fingers at two groups. Malian state TV reported that 80 people in the hotel when the assault began have been freed. The special forces were continuing their operation to end the standoff.
United Nations officials said at least 19 people had been killed, as well as two or three attackers.
State television showed footage of troops in camouflage fatigues wielding AK47s in the lobby of the Radisson Blu, one of Bamako’s smartest hotels. “So we should once again show our solidarity with our ally, Mali”, he said.
Malian special forces went “floor by floor” to free hostages, Traore said.
Michael Skapoullis said he was using the hotel’s gym when he noticed fellow exercisers leaving. She said the 12 included two pilots.
A top official at the French presidency said French citizens were in the hotel but could not give more. He said the victims were “innocent people who had everything to live for”.
A police source said Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was expected to visit the site of the attack on Saturday.
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Air France spokesman Ulli Gendrot said the “3852 flight has been canceled”. It was due later Friday.
