Two suspects in Mali hotel attack identified

Malian special forces have arrested (taken in to custody) two men over last week’s attack on a luxurious hotel within the capital, in accordance to a press release distributed Friday. morning, as the authorities offered a breakdown by nationality of the 20 people killed within the attack. “Ghanaian troops are safe and our citizens are safe”.

A spokesman for the ministry, Amadou Sangho, confirmed that two of the suspects have been arrested, although at this point, he refused to name them for the public.

The two individuals who were arrested are suspected to have played a role in the deadly terror attack. A United Nations police official said earlier this week that officials were trying to determine if the assault rifles used in the attack were pillaged from the stocks of the Malian army or had come from outside the country.

A spokeswoman said: “Already before the recent attacks in Paris we had reinforced safety & security awareness at all our hotels across EMEA – to ensure all our staff is prepared, attentive and vigilant, and trained regarding our corporate safety & security guidelines that are very strict”. Security forces in the country are looking into the possibility that the groups might have collaborated on the incident. Two of the troops were slightly injured, the statement said.

After the attack, Mali declared a national 10-day state of emergency and three days of mourning.

While Mali has certainly had its own problem with terrorists operating in its northern region, the attack raised the question of possible coordinated strikes on allies of the west which present softer targets because of less extensive security and surveillance abilities.

Gunmen raided the hotel hollering “Allahu akbar” as they sprayed bullets on tables of people gathered for breakfast November 20.