Al Qaeda linked militants attack Burkina Faso hotel, take hostages - TomoNews

OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO — Security forces in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou were fighting to dislodge Al Qaeda linked militants who had taken hostages during an attack on a hotel on Friday night. Authorities haven't said how many hostages remain in the hotel but did say that 63 had escaped. Witnesses also told Reuters there were at least 20 dead bodies in the vicinity of the hotel.

The attack began at about 8:30 p.m. Friday, when three gunmen, reportedly from the Al Qaeda affiliated group Al Mourabitoun, fired into the air in front of the Splendid Hotel and began torching cars. Then they fired at patrons dining at the Cappuccino cafe across the street from the hotel and set the cafe on fire. When the Burkina Faso fire brigade later responded to the blaze at the Cappuccino cafe, they discovered 10 bodies on the terrace.

A number of gunmen then entered the lobby of the Splendid Hotel and set it alight. The hotel is frequently used by UN staff and foreigners. Burkina Faso security forces then engaged in a heavy firefight with the gunmen, and stormed the hotel around midnight.

The Minister of Communications Remis Dandjinou told Reuters 30 hostages, including the labor minister, escaped the hotel, while another 33 had been taken to hospital.

Al Mourabitoun has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group is affiliated with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and has been credited with a similar attack on a hotel in Mali in November last year.

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