BAMAKO, Mali - Suspected militant gunmen stormed a luxury
hotel in Mali's capital on Friday (Nov 20), firing automatic weapons and
seizing more than 100 guests and staff in a hostage-taking that left at least
27 people dead.
Special forces staged a dramatic floor-by-floor rescue at
the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, according to local television and security
sources, to end the nine-hour siege.
The assault, which France has said was likely masterminded
by notorious Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar(photo), added to fears over the
global militant threat a week after the Paris massacre that left 130 people
dead.
Malian television broadcast chaotic scenes from inside the
hotel as police and other security personnel ushered bewildered guests along
corridors and across the main lobby.
Malian security sources said at least 27 hostages had been
killed, adding that French special forces had been "participating in
operations alongside Malians".
"The hostage-taking is over. We are in the process of
securing the hotel," a Malian military source said, as civil protection
officers removed the victims in orange body bags.
Two US special forces troops who happened to be at the
nearby US embassy for meetings assisted in the rescue of six Americans.
Source: Channel News Asia...More...
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