63 people evacuated, at least 20 dead after terror attack at Burkina Faso hotel
The Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb took responsibility for the violence at the 147-room establishment frequented by UN staff and foreigners.
At least 20 people have been reported killed so far in an attack on a hotel in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou. According to the Times of India, 63 hostages have been evacuated, of which 33 were injured.The attack, claimed by the Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, took place on Friday night, with security forces retaliating later. Reuters reported that gunfire had decreased by 11 pm local time. Witnesses reported that the 147-room Splendid Hotel, located centrally and close to the city’s airport, was partly on fire from explosions and gunfire.
Security forces rescued around eight hostages from the hotel, reported CNN, and the wounded have been sent for medical treatment. The attack extended to a nearby cafe, Cappucino, as well. Burkinabe security forces, along with French soldiers and United States security officials were part of the assault launched against the AQIM terrorists.
Last month Roch Marc Christian Kabore was sworn in as President of Burkina Faso, completing the state’s transition after its longtime ruler Blaise Compaore was overthrown in 2014. This is the first time the capital has been struck by a terror attack. Terror assaults in a hotel in the city of Mali killed 20 people in November 2015.
