Mali awakes to state of emergency after hotel assault

Gunmen shouting Islamic slogans attacked the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako on Friday, before Malian commandos stormed the building and freed 170 hostages. The President said on state television that the dead included two gunmen. Many believe that the northern part of the country remains insecure and militant attacks have extended further south this year.

Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for an attack and hostage drama at the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali. Malian television broadcast chaotic scenes as police and other security personnel ushered bewildered guests along corridors to safety.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its offshoot al-Murabitoun said they carried out the attack, the BBC reported citing an agency used by jihadists in the region.

Earlier reports indicated that more than 27 people had been killed, although the death toll now appears to be under 20.

The palatial, 190-room Radisson, regarded as one of West Africa’s best hotels, attracts entrepreneurs, tourists and government officials from across the world with its luxury spa, outdoor pool and conference suites.

Instead, Malian troops pressed into the hotel, finding more than a dozen bodies of hostages.

Guinean singer Sekouba Bambino Diabate, who was among the survivors, told reporters the gunmen spoke English among themselves.

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said three Britons in the hotel were safe.

According to security minister Salif Traore, the attackers “currently have no more hostages in their hands and forces are in the process of tracking them down”.

The presidency of Mali thanked friendly nations for his or her support and the security forces in reacting to the strikes.

Among those dead in the siege were three Chinese and several Russians, the respective countries’ authorities said. The Mali government and the global community have made great efforts for the rescue operations yet the attackers showed a total disregard for human conscience and committed brutal and inhumane crimes, Hong said, adding that four Chinese nationals were rescued from the hotel.

President Francois Hollande of France has offered to help Mali, a former colony of France.