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Mali Hotel Attack Leaves Dozens Dead, Including an American Mali Hotel Attack Leaves at Least 21 Dead, Including an American
(35 minutes later)
DAKAR, Senegal — Heavily armed gunmen shouting “Allahu akbar” stormed a Radisson Blu hotel Friday morning in Bamako, the capital of the West African nation of Mali, seizing scores of hostages and leaving bodies strewn across the building.DAKAR, Senegal — Heavily armed gunmen shouting “Allahu akbar” stormed a Radisson Blu hotel Friday morning in Bamako, the capital of the West African nation of Mali, seizing scores of hostages and leaving bodies strewn across the building.
The gunmen barreled past the hotel’s light security early in the morning, confusing guards with fake diplomatic license plates, and then burst into its glass-door lobby with their guns blazing.The gunmen barreled past the hotel’s light security early in the morning, confusing guards with fake diplomatic license plates, and then burst into its glass-door lobby with their guns blazing.
“They started firing everywhere,” said a receptionist at the hotel who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. “They were shouting, ‘Allahu akbar.’ They cut someone’s throat, a white man.”“They started firing everywhere,” said a receptionist at the hotel who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. “They were shouting, ‘Allahu akbar.’ They cut someone’s throat, a white man.”
“I hid in my office,” he said. “I saw four of them, armed to the teeth.”“I hid in my office,” he said. “I saw four of them, armed to the teeth.”
A senior United Nations official said that as many as 27 people had been killed, with bodies found in the basement and on the second floor, according to a preliminary assessment of the devastating attack. United Nations officials said that at least 21 people had been killed, including two or three attackers, with bodies found lying in the basement and on the hotel floors. But they added that security forces were still sweeping the building in search of bodies and evidence that would shed more light on the devastating siege.
One American was killed, according to two senior American officials. At least one Belgian citizen died in the siege as well. The nationalities of the other victims were not immediately clear. One American was killed, according to two senior American officials. At least one Belgian citizen died in the attack as well. The nationalities of the other victims were not immediately clear.
The gunmen took “about 100 hostages” at the beginning of the attack, said Gen. Didier Dacko of the Malian Army. He said soldiers had sealed the perimeter and went “inside looking for the terrorists.”The gunmen took “about 100 hostages” at the beginning of the attack, said Gen. Didier Dacko of the Malian Army. He said soldiers had sealed the perimeter and went “inside looking for the terrorists.”
By late afternoon, the siege appeared to be over. No more hostages were being held, said Col. Salif Traore, Mali’s minister of interior security. At least two of the assailants had been killed, officials and witnesses said.By late afternoon, the siege appeared to be over. No more hostages were being held, said Col. Salif Traore, Mali’s minister of interior security. At least two of the assailants had been killed, officials and witnesses said.
“We can confirm that the attack has ended,” the White House said in a statement.“We can confirm that the attack has ended,” the White House said in a statement.
From early on during the siege, dozens of hostages, many of them crying – including women, children and older people — streamed out of the hotel after hiding in their rooms, said Amadou Sidibé, a local reporter at the scene.From early on during the siege, dozens of hostages, many of them crying – including women, children and older people — streamed out of the hotel after hiding in their rooms, said Amadou Sidibé, a local reporter at the scene.
According to the operators of the hotel, 125 guests and 13 employees were inside the hotel after the attack began. The visitors had come from far and wide, including Europe, India, China, Turkey and Algeria. They included diplomats, business people, pilots and flight attendants.According to the operators of the hotel, 125 guests and 13 employees were inside the hotel after the attack began. The visitors had come from far and wide, including Europe, India, China, Turkey and Algeria. They included diplomats, business people, pilots and flight attendants.
The siege in Mali, a former French colony, came only a week after terrorists with assault rifles and suicide vests killed 130 people in attacks across Paris.The siege in Mali, a former French colony, came only a week after terrorists with assault rifles and suicide vests killed 130 people in attacks across Paris.
It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack in Mali. Al Jazeera reported that it had received a recording asserting that a local militant group, Al Mourabitoun, had carried out the siege in conjunction with Al Qaeda’s regional affiliate, though the claim could not be independently confirmed.It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack in Mali. Al Jazeera reported that it had received a recording asserting that a local militant group, Al Mourabitoun, had carried out the siege in conjunction with Al Qaeda’s regional affiliate, though the claim could not be independently confirmed.
France’s defense minister told French television that Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a longtime Qaeda member who claimed responsibility for the 2013 siege of an Algerian gas plant in which dozens of hostages were killed, was “likely behind” the attack in Mali, but acknowledged that “we are not completely certain of it.”France’s defense minister told French television that Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a longtime Qaeda member who claimed responsibility for the 2013 siege of an Algerian gas plant in which dozens of hostages were killed, was “likely behind” the attack in Mali, but acknowledged that “we are not completely certain of it.”
Mr. Belmokhtar has long been a shadowy figure among extremists, and there is even some debate about whether he is alive. Since June, he has been reported killed on at least two separate occasions.Mr. Belmokhtar has long been a shadowy figure among extremists, and there is even some debate about whether he is alive. Since June, he has been reported killed on at least two separate occasions.
Qaeda supporters quickly praised the attack on Friday, with one even saying that the Islamic State “should learn a thing or two,” reflecting the rivalry between the two groups.Qaeda supporters quickly praised the attack on Friday, with one even saying that the Islamic State “should learn a thing or two,” reflecting the rivalry between the two groups.
Mali has long struggled with insurrection and Islamist extremism, including smaller-scale attacks on a restaurant and another hotel this year.Mali has long struggled with insurrection and Islamist extremism, including smaller-scale attacks on a restaurant and another hotel this year.
“We don’t want to scare our people, but we have already said that Mali will have to get used to situations like this,” President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali, who was on a visit to neighboring Chad, told France 24. “We must all remain humble. No one, nowhere, is safe given the danger of terrorism.”“We don’t want to scare our people, but we have already said that Mali will have to get used to situations like this,” President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali, who was on a visit to neighboring Chad, told France 24. “We must all remain humble. No one, nowhere, is safe given the danger of terrorism.”
Northern Mali fell under the control of rebels and Islamist militants in 2012. A French-led offensive ousted them in 2013, but remnants of the militant groups have staged a number of attacks on United Nations peacekeepers and Malian forces. Hundreds of French soldiers remain in the country.Northern Mali fell under the control of rebels and Islamist militants in 2012. A French-led offensive ousted them in 2013, but remnants of the militant groups have staged a number of attacks on United Nations peacekeepers and Malian forces. Hundreds of French soldiers remain in the country.
A peace accord was signed in June between the government and several rebel factions. But the truce has been broken several times, growing lawlessness has driven out civilians from the north of the country, and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali is proving to be one of the deadliest in the world. So far 40 peacekeepers have been killed in attacks.A peace accord was signed in June between the government and several rebel factions. But the truce has been broken several times, growing lawlessness has driven out civilians from the north of the country, and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali is proving to be one of the deadliest in the world. So far 40 peacekeepers have been killed in attacks.
United Nations officials said they were worried that the attacks could have been intended, at least in part, to undermine the halting steps toward process. Some of the people at the hotel were diplomats in town for a meeting to monitor peace efforts.United Nations officials said they were worried that the attacks could have been intended, at least in part, to undermine the halting steps toward process. Some of the people at the hotel were diplomats in town for a meeting to monitor peace efforts.
In a statement after the hotel attack on Friday, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s office said he “deplores any attempt to derail” the peace process.In a statement after the hotel attack on Friday, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s office said he “deplores any attempt to derail” the peace process.
The Radisson Blu hotel is a popular place for foreigners to stay in Bamako, a city with a population approaching two million.The Radisson Blu hotel is a popular place for foreigners to stay in Bamako, a city with a population approaching two million.
Twelve to 15 Americans were believed to be at the hotel when the gunmen first arrived, another American Defense official said. Six American citizens were recovered safely from the hotel, he added. The status of the others was not immediately clear.Twelve to 15 Americans were believed to be at the hotel when the gunmen first arrived, another American Defense official said. Six American citizens were recovered safely from the hotel, he added. The status of the others was not immediately clear.
About 20 Indian citizens were in the hotel at the time of the attack but were evacuated safely, the Indian ambassador to Mali said.About 20 Indian citizens were in the hotel at the time of the attack but were evacuated safely, the Indian ambassador to Mali said.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said that two Germans were among the hostages who had been released from the hotel.Germany’s Foreign Ministry said that two Germans were among the hostages who had been released from the hotel.
Six Belgians were registered in the hotel, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesman in that country. At least one of them, a 39-year-old Belgian working for the Wallonia-Brussels regional parliament, died during the attack. He was in Mali for three days for a conference aimed at training Malian civil servants. Another of the Belgians remained missing, the ministry said.Six Belgians were registered in the hotel, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesman in that country. At least one of them, a 39-year-old Belgian working for the Wallonia-Brussels regional parliament, died during the attack. He was in Mali for three days for a conference aimed at training Malian civil servants. Another of the Belgians remained missing, the ministry said.
A diplomat at the Chinese embassy in Bamako said that eight Chinese business people had been trapped in the hotel as well. Embassy officials at the scene were in touch with some of the Chinese hostages by WeChat, a Chinese messaging service, the diplomat said.A diplomat at the Chinese embassy in Bamako said that eight Chinese business people had been trapped in the hotel as well. Embassy officials at the scene were in touch with some of the Chinese hostages by WeChat, a Chinese messaging service, the diplomat said.
Kassim Traoré, a Malian journalist who was in a building about 50 meters, or 160 feet, from the Radisson, said the attackers had told hostages to recite a declaration of Muslim faith as a way separating Muslims from non-Muslims. Those who could recite the declaration, the Shahada, were allowed to leave the hotel. The Shabab, a Qaeda affiliate in East Africa, used a similar approach in the attack at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi in 2013.Kassim Traoré, a Malian journalist who was in a building about 50 meters, or 160 feet, from the Radisson, said the attackers had told hostages to recite a declaration of Muslim faith as a way separating Muslims from non-Muslims. Those who could recite the declaration, the Shahada, were allowed to leave the hotel. The Shabab, a Qaeda affiliate in East Africa, used a similar approach in the attack at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi in 2013.
The security forces moved through the hotel, floor by floor, freeing hostages as they went.The security forces moved through the hotel, floor by floor, freeing hostages as they went.
Clément René, a 57-year old French citizen, came out onto the balcony of his fifth-floor room after he heard repeated gunshots at around 7 a.m. One of the attackers, bearing an AK-47, was running into the hotel, shooting back at the hotel security forces.Clément René, a 57-year old French citizen, came out onto the balcony of his fifth-floor room after he heard repeated gunshots at around 7 a.m. One of the attackers, bearing an AK-47, was running into the hotel, shooting back at the hotel security forces.
As shooting intensified, Mr. René fled back into his room, turned off the lights, put his phone on silent mode and waited. He heard the awful sounds coming closer, moving up inside the hotel.As shooting intensified, Mr. René fled back into his room, turned off the lights, put his phone on silent mode and waited. He heard the awful sounds coming closer, moving up inside the hotel.
“The sound kept coming up as if it was moving from floor to floor,” he said. “The sound of guns, explosions and what seemed to be a grenade.”“The sound kept coming up as if it was moving from floor to floor,” he said. “The sound of guns, explosions and what seemed to be a grenade.”
On the fifth floor, he felt like he was in the middle of the crossfire. “I then sent hundreds of text messages, to my family, my wife and two daughters, to my Malian colleagues because I knew they’d be watching TV and worried to death,” Mr. René said.On the fifth floor, he felt like he was in the middle of the crossfire. “I then sent hundreds of text messages, to my family, my wife and two daughters, to my Malian colleagues because I knew they’d be watching TV and worried to death,” Mr. René said.
He was finally freed from his room by Malian soldiers who stormed the corridor of his floor. In the lobby, he passed a body that had already had a tarp thrown over it.He was finally freed from his room by Malian soldiers who stormed the corridor of his floor. In the lobby, he passed a body that had already had a tarp thrown over it.
“All I could see were his shoes sticking out,” Mr. René said. “Big black ranger boots which made me think it might be one of the terrorists.” The glass lobby doors had been shattered.“All I could see were his shoes sticking out,” Mr. René said. “Big black ranger boots which made me think it might be one of the terrorists.” The glass lobby doors had been shattered.
Another French hostage, who did not want to be identified, told a friend in Bamako that a group of people were trapped on the roof of the hotel, along with the body of one person who had died in the attack. The hostage told the friend that the French Consulate had told hostages by text message to stay put and wait for a military assault.Another French hostage, who did not want to be identified, told a friend in Bamako that a group of people were trapped on the roof of the hotel, along with the body of one person who had died in the attack. The hostage told the friend that the French Consulate had told hostages by text message to stay put and wait for a military assault.
Kamissoko Lassine, the chief pastry chef of the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, said that two armed men arrived at the hotel around 7 a.m.Kamissoko Lassine, the chief pastry chef of the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, said that two armed men arrived at the hotel around 7 a.m.
“They were driving a vehicle with diplomatic plates,” he said. “You know how easy that is at the hotel? The guards just lifted the barrier.”“They were driving a vehicle with diplomatic plates,” he said. “You know how easy that is at the hotel? The guards just lifted the barrier.”
“They opened fire and wounded the guard at the front,” said Mr. Lassine, who said he was able to slip out a back door and make it home safely. “They took the hotel hostage and moved people into a big hall.”“They opened fire and wounded the guard at the front,” said Mr. Lassine, who said he was able to slip out a back door and make it home safely. “They took the hotel hostage and moved people into a big hall.”
A member of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Mali, who asked not to be identified, said there were many French people in the hotel, including Air France staff members, along with a delegation for the International Organization of French Speakers. Air France later said in a statement that 12 members of its crew had been at the hotel and were freed.A member of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Mali, who asked not to be identified, said there were many French people in the hotel, including Air France staff members, along with a delegation for the International Organization of French Speakers. Air France later said in a statement that 12 members of its crew had been at the hotel and were freed.
Five Turkish Airlines crew members, including pilots and flight attendants, had also been freed, while two remained inside the hotel, a Turkish government official said.Five Turkish Airlines crew members, including pilots and flight attendants, had also been freed, while two remained inside the hotel, a Turkish government official said.
Mali has been crippled by instability since January, 2012, when rebels and Al Qaeda-linked militants — armed with the remnants of late Libyan leader Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s arsenal — began advancing through the country’s vast desert in the north and capturing towns.Mali has been crippled by instability since January, 2012, when rebels and Al Qaeda-linked militants — armed with the remnants of late Libyan leader Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s arsenal — began advancing through the country’s vast desert in the north and capturing towns.
A military coup, stirred in part by anger over the government’s handling of the insurrection, overthrew Mali’s elected government in March 2012. Amid the chaos, Islamist rebels managed to consolidate their hold on the northern part of the country, imposing a harsh version of Islamic law.A military coup, stirred in part by anger over the government’s handling of the insurrection, overthrew Mali’s elected government in March 2012. Amid the chaos, Islamist rebels managed to consolidate their hold on the northern part of the country, imposing a harsh version of Islamic law.
In January of 2013, the Islamist forces began advancing south from their northern stronghold, heading in the direction of Mali’s capital. France sent in troops to stop them. A brief military campaign halted the Islamist advance, recaptured towns like Timbuktu that had been under the militants’ control, and chased the remaining Islamist fighters back into the desert.In January of 2013, the Islamist forces began advancing south from their northern stronghold, heading in the direction of Mali’s capital. France sent in troops to stop them. A brief military campaign halted the Islamist advance, recaptured towns like Timbuktu that had been under the militants’ control, and chased the remaining Islamist fighters back into the desert.
But then, with no warning, other militants linked to Al Qaeda stormed a vast gas production facility in the desert of neighboring Algeria, taking dozens of expatriate workers hostage. Some 38 were killed during the siege of the gas plant.But then, with no warning, other militants linked to Al Qaeda stormed a vast gas production facility in the desert of neighboring Algeria, taking dozens of expatriate workers hostage. Some 38 were killed during the siege of the gas plant.
With hundreds of French troops still present in Mali and the country highly reliant on donors, elections in the summer of 2013 restored a democratic government. But its hold on the north remains weak.With hundreds of French troops still present in Mali and the country highly reliant on donors, elections in the summer of 2013 restored a democratic government. But its hold on the north remains weak.
There are frequent attacks by Islamist fighters, particular on United Nations troops, in the northern provinces. A shaky peace deal signed in June has not stopped the attacks, and in August five United Nations workers were killed in an assault on a hotel in central Mali. Five months before, militants killed five at a restaurant in Bamako.There are frequent attacks by Islamist fighters, particular on United Nations troops, in the northern provinces. A shaky peace deal signed in June has not stopped the attacks, and in August five United Nations workers were killed in an assault on a hotel in central Mali. Five months before, militants killed five at a restaurant in Bamako.
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, the operator of the Radisson Blu Hotel Bamako, said it was in contact with the local authorities, and the United States Embassy said it had issued a warning to staff members and American citizens to shelter in place.The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, the operator of the Radisson Blu Hotel Bamako, said it was in contact with the local authorities, and the United States Embassy said it had issued a warning to staff members and American citizens to shelter in place.
France has about 800 troops stationed in Mali as part of a larger 3,500-member regional force in West Africa. Only about a dozen or so of those troops are in Bamako itself, however.France has about 800 troops stationed in Mali as part of a larger 3,500-member regional force in West Africa. Only about a dozen or so of those troops are in Bamako itself, however.
There was no formal claim of responsibility for the siege, but supporters of the Islamic State were posting on Twitter in celebration of the attack under the hashtags #IslamicState, #ParisIsBurning and #Mali_Is_Burning.There was no formal claim of responsibility for the siege, but supporters of the Islamic State were posting on Twitter in celebration of the attack under the hashtags #IslamicState, #ParisIsBurning and #Mali_Is_Burning.
In the assault in August, jihadists stormed a hotel in Sévaré, north of the capital, where United Nations staff members were staying, seizing hostages and killing at least five Malian soldiers and a United Nations contractor.In the assault in August, jihadists stormed a hotel in Sévaré, north of the capital, where United Nations staff members were staying, seizing hostages and killing at least five Malian soldiers and a United Nations contractor.