Authorities in Mali have arrested two individuals who are suspected of being involved in Thursday’s deadly attack.
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Malian troops, backed by French and American special forces, swarmed in to retake the building and free terrified guests and hotel staff during a siege that lasted more than seven hours.
Last week, militants, allegedly belonging to the al-Mourabitoun militant group, which is linked to al Qaeda, attacked the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako and killed at least 19 people.
“They were found after a phone at the scene was connected to both suspects”, Army spokesman Modibo Naman Traore said.
The attackers did not say a word to anyone as they opened fire, employee Tamba Couye said.
One of those arrested had been in touch with one of the gunmen since August, according to a source close to the investigation.
“Questioning of the two will shed more light on the motives of the attack that left 29 people dead”, it said.
Two days later, another armed group from central Mali, the Macina Liberation Front (LWF), also claimed responsibility, saying it was carried out by a squad of five, including “three who came out safe and sound”.
“It is only after question that we’ll learn whether the second defendant sells telephone credit or is an accomplice”, said the source, requesting anonymity. The U.S. embassy in Bamako has hinted the possibility of “further terrorist activity in the capital”, warning that its citizens avoid public places like shopping centres, bars and restaurants.
Christophe Monbelli- deputy police commissioner for MINUSMA, Valloir, said on Thursday a team from the FBI had arrived to assist the Malian-directed investigation.
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Germany has said it is willing to send up to 650 soldiers to bolster the United Nations force which has yet to reach its full strength of 12,680 men.
