| Online: | |
| Visits: | |
| Stories: |
| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
Happening Now Very Fluid: Jihadist Have Mali Under Attack: 170 Hostages in Mali 3 Dead ISIS Won’t Stop (Video) Updated
‘Did you load it’ Gun-wielding jihadis heard SPEAKING ENGLISH as 170 taken hostage in Mali
20 Nov 15
Jihadists have killed at least three people – two Malians and one French national – in the attack which comes a week after Islamic State (ISIS) carried out a series of terror atrocities on Paris.
An Al-Qaeda affiliate has claimed responsibility for today’s attack.
The siege is taking place at a Radison Blu hotel, popular with Air France crew, in the Malian capital of Bamako.
Militants, who have been heard speaking in English, fired shots in the corridors while shouting “God is great” in Arabic.
URGENT UPDATE: Mali Crisis 138 Hostages 3 Dead 2 Wounded
Malian special forces have launched an assault on the building in a bid to free those being held.
A police source said: “They’ve penetrated inside the hotel. The operations are under way.”
Soldiers are going from floor to floor and heavy gunfire has been heard in the building.
AP
Hostages being released from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali
Around 80 people have been released so far.
Some of the hostages were earlier allowed out by the terrorists if they could recite verses from the Koran.
More French nationals are among the hostages. France is sending an elite force specialising in hostage situations to the African nation.
There were 140 guests and 30 employees at the hotel when terrorists stormed in this morning.
A hotel staff member who managed to flee described horrific scenes.
They said: “We were evacuated by security forces. There were a lot of people inside. I saw dead bodies in the lobby.
“I was hiding in my room. There were several minutes and then security forces smashed my door and we left.”
A famous Guinean singer, who also escaped, said he heard attackers in the next room speaking English.
Sekouba ‘Bambino’ Diabate said he heard them say: “Did you load it? Let’s go.
“I wasn’t able to see them because in these kinds of situations it’s hard.”
Reports vary from two to 10 gunmen being inside the building.
The terrorists arrived in a vehicle which forced its way through a security barrier.
The hotel’s head of security Seydou Dembele, said two private security guards had been shot in the legs in the early stages of the assault.
He said: ”We saw two of the attackers. One was wearing a balaclava. The other was black-skinned. They forced the first barrier.”
Amadou Keita, who works near to the hotel, said he saw the attackers force their way in.
He said: “Between 6.30am and 7am a car arrived, they shot at the guard on the door. They got inside.
“The police arrived, there were exchanges of gunfire, it was going off everywhere.”
AP
Security forces escort a hostage released by the gunmen
Malian army commander Modibo Nama Traore said the gunmen stormed the hotel shouting “Allahu Akbar” or “God is great” in Arabic before firing on the guards and taking hostages.
The hotel, which has 190 rooms, is regularly used by foreign dignitaries, as well as Air France staff on long-haul stopovers.
The airline said 12 of its crew are among those who have been freed from the siege.
Turkish Airlines said it has six staff inside the attacked hotel but five of them have escaped from the terrorists.
The UN mission said it was sending security reinforcements.
The west African country has deep ties to France and the attack comes just a week after 130 people were killed in the atrocities in Paris.
French president Francois Hollande said “everything was being done” to free those being held.
GETTY
Soldiers stormed the hotel in a bid to free the hostages
Sky News
Authorities arrive at the hotel in Mali to 10 gunmen inside the hotel
President Hollande added: “Once again we really must show solidarity with Mali.
“Within the hotel are tourists and heads of companies representing a great number of countries.”
He is sending an elite French unit to Mali that specialises in hostage situations.
The team of 200 is selected from the French police before undergoing a rigorous year of training.
The US embassy in Mali advised US citizens to contact their families and follow local media coverage.
Sky
Chaos on the streets around the hotel in Mali
AP
Two women were released by the gunmen
As per our information, two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees
Hotel statement
In a statement the British Foreign Office said: “We are in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking further information following reports of an incident at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, Mali.
“The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Mali for some time.”
The US Embassy tweeted that it was “aware of an ongoing active shooter operation at the Radisson Hotel”.
US President Barack Obama has been briefed by a national security advisor, the White House said.
Prime Minister David Cameron was also being kept updated.
Downing Street said: “We are monitoring the situation closely. We are in touch with our staff there.
“It’s an ongoing situation.”
The Indian government has said it has 20 nationals involved in the hostage crisis. READ MORE
ARE YOU COMPLETELY PREPARED? THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PREP YOU CAN DO! A TRUE AND ETERNAL INVESTMENT!
