OUAGADOUGOU, (AA and Agencies) – Gunmen attacked a hotel in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, on Friday night.22 were killed. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Gunfire and explosions could be heard, according to local media and witnesses who said two car bombs exploded outside the Splendid Hotel at around 7.30 p.m. local time (1930GMT).
The hotel, close to the city’s international airport, is used by UN staff and westerners.
“Shots were fired by unidentified armed men wearing balaclavas who managed to enter the hotel and kidnapped several people, while a car was burning out front,” a witness told Anadolu Agency.
A gunfight broke out between the attackers and security forces.
Hours later, Burkina Faso’s Interior Minister Simon Compaoré said the operation against the terrorists had ended, but that an assault on a second hotel, in close connection to Splendid, had been launched.
“Three jihadists were killed. They were an Arab and two black Africans,” Compaoré told Reuters.
About 126 hostages including the Labour Minister were freed while around 33 people have been taken to hospital with injuries, the interior ministry said.The Cappuccino café-restaurant opposite the hotel, another spot popular with westerners, had also been targeted. Members of Burkina Faso’s fire brigade found about 10 bodies on the terrace of the restaurant, the interior minister said on Saturday.
Several cars were ablaze in front of the hotel and a cafe opposite the hotel was targeted by snipers, according to locals.
In November, the Radisson Blu Hotel in neighboring Mali was attacked by gunmen who killed 20 people. The assault was claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
A coup in Burkina Faso in October 2014 overthrew long-time leader Blaise Compaore.
