126 hostages have been rescued from the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, according to the country's interior minister.
Three attackers have also reportedly been killed in the incident. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has claimed responsibility.
Security forces began an assault to reclaim the hotel in the early hours of the morning and entered its lobby, part of which was on fire, according to a Reuters witness, who later saw them enter the hotels upper floors amid bursts of gunfire.
The upper floors of the hotel were reportedly rigged with explosives, slowing their progress.
The hotel is frequented by westerners, which may have made it a target for the militants.
No one has said publicly how many people might have been in the hotel.
Yesterday evening’s attack was the first time militants have assaulted Ouagadougou and comes as a setback to efforts by African governments, France and the United States to prevent attacks that have destabilised the region.
It follows a raid on a luxury hotel in Mali last November in which two attackers killed 20 people, including citizens of Russia, China and the US.
There have been many attacks by militants in other countries in West Africa in recent years and the vast majority of those killed have been Africans.........http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0116/760648-burkina-attack/
16/1/16
--
-
Related:
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
No comments :
Post a Comment
Only News