A current summation of the immediate situation, mostly compiled by CNN, is as follows:
- Al Qaeda related terrorists attacked the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, at 7 am (other reports say 6 am,) 20 November 2015.
- 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.
- Initial estimates say 21 were killed and scores more were wounded.
- As many as 170 people (30 staff, 140 guests) were in the hotel at the time.
- A group called Al Mourabitoun, which is aligned with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), claimed responsibility.
- 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.
- 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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