Alwaght- At least 20 people have been killed and over 15 wounded in terrorist attack on a hotel in the heart of Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou.
Last night the Splendid Hotel was reported to be on fire as commandos used explosives to force their way in to the hotel in an attempt to rescue hostages who had been seized by the gunmen.
According to Burkina Faso's information minister, 33 hostages were released including a member of the government.
The four-star hotel is a popular location with westerners, including United Nations staff.
Responsibility for the attack on the hotel and the nearby Cappucino restaurant was claimed by al-Qaeda in the Maghreb.
The gunmen first attacked a restaurant, which is located across from the hotel and owned by a Ukrainian national, Russia’s Honorary Council in Burkina Faso, Anna Rachina-Kulibali, told TASS.
Rachina said that there are foreign nationals among the dead, adding that is still unknown whether any of the victims were Russian.
“There are foreigners [among the dead], possibly Europeans and locals.”
Early Saturday, the Burkinabe security forces entered the Hotel and engaged in a firefight with the terrorists.
There are over 3,500 French citizens currently residing in Burkina Faso.
A social media user from the West African country reported that a “red level” alert has been announced in the city, with an “ongoing hostage taking in Ouagadougou, deaths, wounded [and] fire.”
The user said that the city center is an “insecure area” and advised the public not to go there and “warn relatives.” He added that it is the Splendid Hotel that is “on fire.”
Last November, Al Qaeda affiliated terrorists carried out a similar attack in Burkina Faso’s neighboring Mali, killing at least 19 in a 190-room Radisson hotel in the capital city of Bamako.
The domestic situation in Burkina Faso has been tense since October 2014, when veteran President Blaise Compaore was overthrown in a five-day protest.
