20 November 2015, Bamako, Mali

20 November, 2015 Hotel Attacks

A current summation of the immediate situation, mostly compiled by CNN, is as follows:

  1. Al Qaeda related terrorists attacked the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, at 7 am (other reports say 6 am,) 20 November 2015.

  1. Between 2-4 attackers arrived at the hotel in a car sporting diplomatic plates, bypassing security. They emerged from the car firing AK-47s and stormed the hotel. They also reportedly slit the throat of at least one hotel guest, says the military news website military.com.
  1. Initial estimates say 21 were killed and scores more were wounded.
  1. As many as 170 people (30 staff, 140 guests) were in the hotel at the time.
  1. A group called Al Mourabitoun, which is aligned with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), claimed responsibility.
  1. The attack happened as a contingent of UN personnel and other foreign officials were holding a peacekeeping workshop at the Radisson aimed at bringing peace to war-torn Mali.
  1. As of 6:24 pm, EST (USA), Malian and a handful of foreign forces had rescued all hotel patrons in a counter terror operation (via floor-by-floor/room-by-room, close quarters battle, CQB.) Malian authorities say the attackers are holed up in the hotel, and operations to neutralize them are ongoing.

Sources and further reading:

Mali hotel attack: Islamist group says it shares responsibility,” CNN, 20 November 2015.

Al-Qaida-Linked Groups Claim Terror Attack on Mali Hotel,” Military.com, 20 November 2015.

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