This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/world/africa/burkina-faso-embassy-attack.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Simultaneous Attacks Hit Burkina Faso, a Growing Target of Al Qaeda At Least 13 Dead in Attacks in Burkina Faso, Growing Target of Al Qaeda
(35 minutes later)
Gunmen mounted simultaneous attacks on Friday morning in Burkina Faso against the military headquarters and the French Embassy, the governments of Burkina Faso and France said. Numerous people were killed in simultaneous attacks on Friday on the military headquarters of Burkina Faso and the French Embassy in the nation’s capital, the government said.
There were unconfirmed reports of explosions as well as gunfire at the scene of the fighting in Ouagadougou, the capital. Officials said that the gunmen who had assaulted the embassy had been killed, ending the fighting there, but gunfire continued later into the day at the military offices. Even after several hours, a full picture of the situation was still coming into view, but the government reported that at least seven members of the security forces, as well as six assailants, died in the attacks.
Information Minister Remis Fulgance Dandjinou told the state television channel RTB that six attackers had been killed. There were grim signs that the toll might be far higher: Agence France-Presse, citing security sources in France and West Africa, estimated that the death toll was at least 28.
Government officials did not immediately assign blame for the gunfire and explosions that erupted in the downtown area of Ouagadougo, the capital, but speculation immediately centered on radical jihadist groups that have attacked the city in the past.
The government’s information minister, Remis Fulgance Dandjinou, told the state broadcaster RTB that four attackers were killed at the French Embassy and two at the military headquarters. RTB showed video of soldiers closing around one of the buildings involved, with gunshots echoing, a helicopter swooping low overhead and a car ablaze nearby.
In 2016 and again last year, jihadists attacked civilian sites that were popular with Westerners — cafes and a hotel — killing a total of 49 people.In 2016 and again last year, jihadists attacked civilian sites that were popular with Westerners — cafes and a hotel — killing a total of 49 people.
There was speculation on Friday that the latest attack was also carried out by Islamists, but the government did not immediately lay blame on any group.
The government of Burkina Faso acknowledged that the attack had taken place, but offered few details, urging people to stay away from the fighting.
Paul Kaolaga, a terrorism analyst with the Strategic Network on Security in the Sahel, said the military, supported by French special forces, had brought both attack scenes under control.Paul Kaolaga, a terrorism analyst with the Strategic Network on Security in the Sahel, said the military, supported by French special forces, had brought both attack scenes under control.
In recent years, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has pushed south from its original base in Libya, into Mali, and then to Burkina Faso. In aiding the fight against terrorist groups, Mr. Kaolaga said, Burkina Faso has become one of their targets. In recent years, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has pushed south from its base in Algeria, into Mali, and then to Burkina Faso. In aiding the fight against terrorist groups, Mr. Kaolaga said, Burkina Faso has become one of their targets.
Aurélia Laget, a spokeswoman for the French Institute in Ouagadougou, which is near the embassy, said that workers there had taken shelter and that sounds of fighting had gone on for more than an hour. “We heard gunfire for sure, and explosions, I think,” she said.Aurélia Laget, a spokeswoman for the French Institute in Ouagadougou, which is near the embassy, said that workers there had taken shelter and that sounds of fighting had gone on for more than an hour. “We heard gunfire for sure, and explosions, I think,” she said.
Some witnesses said the gunmen at the embassy set fire to their vehicle when they arrived, which could have caused an explosion.Some witnesses said the gunmen at the embassy set fire to their vehicle when they arrived, which could have caused an explosion.