At least 21 people, including two attackers, were killed after armed Islamists stormed a luxury hotel in Bamako, Mali on Friday morning. Some 170 people were being held hostage in the Radisson Blu hotel as Malian troops launched a siege to rescue them.
21 November 2015
Russian companies should recall all employees working in “high-risk zones,” the head of the State Duma's Committee for International Relations, Aleksey Pushkov, said on his Twitter account.
“Six of our citizens were killed during the hostage situation in Mali. It makes sense for Russian companies to temporarily bring back the majority of their employees stationed in high-risk zones.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that six Russian citizens were killed in the Radisson hotel in Bamako. All of the deceased Russians were employed at the Volga-Dnepr air freight company in the city of Ulyanovsk. Five bodies have already been identified, while the sixth one is severely disfigured. Earlier Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that six other Russian citizens survived the terrorist attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to his Malian counterpart, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, over the attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital, Bamako.
“The inhumane crime committed in the Malian capital once again confirms that terrorism knows no borders and represents a real danger for the whole world. Its victims are people of many nationalities and religious beliefs, and resisting this threat is only possible on the basis of the widest international cooperation,” Putin said in a telegram.
Russian citizens were among those killed in the Mali hotel hostage-taking, the Russian Foreign Ministry says.
"As of the morning of November 21, we can confirm there were Russian citizens among those killed," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told RIA Novosti. "After we have conclusive information about their number and names, the Foreign Ministry will make a statement," she added.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) has condemned “the horrifying terrorist attack” in Mali in the strongest terms, according to a statement released late on Friday. The council also called on local authorities to investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. The statement added that the UNSC supports Mali’s fight against terrorism.
Three senior Chinese executives were killed in the Mali hotel siege, state-owned China Railway Construction Corp has confirmed. The victims were identified as the general manager for the corporation’s international group, Zhou Tianxiang; a deputy general manager of the international group, Wang Xuanshang; and the general manager of the group’s West Africa division, Chang Xuehui.
The announcement came after China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that three Chinese nationals were killed during Friday’s attack in Mali. Four other Chinese nationals were rescued from the hostage situation. China has condemned the attack in the strongest terms.
US President Barack Obama called the attack in Mali "another awful reminder of the scourge of terrorism" on Friday, Reuters reported.
Speaking at a summit in Malaysia, the president said terrorists would not be permitted safe haven, and that the US is trying to determine how many Americans were at the hotel.
"It stiffens our resolve to meet these challenges," he said. "The United States will be relentless."
The US citizen killed in the attack has been identified as Anita Datar, a 41-year-old international development worker.
At least three Chinese citizens were killed in the hostage-taking situation, Xinhua reported citing the Chinese Embassy. Another four Chinese were rescued from the hotel and are currently in stable condition, political counselor Wang Yi told the news agency.
Mali’s President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, has announced on state television that 21 people were killed and seven wounded in Friday’s attack, including two militants.
Three days of national mourning have been declared.
20 November 2015
One US citizen was killed in the terrorist attack on a hotel in Bamako, the US State Department has confirmed.
The Islamic militants who stormed the hotel were shooting indiscriminately at anyone who was moving, a hotel worker told AP, adding that there were victims of “all nationalities.”
Two of the Radisson hotel attackers in Mali were killed following the siege, AP reported, citing UN mission spokesman Olivier Salgado. Security forces have been combing the building, going from room to room to check for possible casualties, the official added.
The US embassy in Bamako has lifted a previously released recommendation for its citizens in the capital of Mali “to shelter in place,” as the incident at the hotel concluded. However, the diplomatic mission said Americans in the region should “adhere to the instructions of local authorities,” be vigilant and minimize movement around the city.
At this stage, no French nationals have been identified among those killed in the hotel attack in Mali, Reuters reported, citing French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
In a statement released earlier in the day, Air France said it had 12 airline crew members staying at the besieged hotel, all of whom were safe.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned attack on Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako.
“The Secretary-General condemns the horrific terrorist attacks at the Radisson Hotel in Bamako, which killed an unknown number of civilians and injured many more,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters, as cited by Reuters.
A group of Islamist gunmen involved in the attack continue to hold out against security forces, a security ministry spokesman told Reuters.
"The attackers no longer have hostages. They are dug in in the upper floors. They are alone with the Malian special forces who are trying to dislodge them," spokesman Amadou Sangho said.
Mali special forces are still trying to dislodge Islamist gunmen from the upper floors of the hotel, a security ministry spokesman told Reuters.
Twenty-two US Defense Department military and civilian personnel have been accounted for in Bamako and have no injuries, according to the Pentagon.
Scenes from the streets of Bamako following the hotel siege.
The CEO of Rezidor, the company that owns the Radisson, has released a statement.
"I want to express my deep personal concern for all of the guests and employees affected by the terrible events which are happening today at the Radisson Blu Bamako Hotel in Mali," Wolfgang M. Neumann said.
"I speak on behalf of the entire Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group in extending our deep sympathy to the families, colleagues and friends of all those touched by today's events."
A Belgian regional assembly official was among those killed at the hotel, according to the country's parliament.
“Mr. [Geoffrey] Dieudonne, with other foreign colleagues, was in Mali to give a seminar for Malian parliamentarians,” the Brussels-based parliament said, as quoted by AFP.
“At this stage the exact circumstances of his tragic death are not yet known.”
UN peacekeepers at the Mali hotel saw some 27 bodies, a UN official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Twelve corpses were seen in the basement of the hotel and another 15 on the second floor. He added that UN troops are still helping Malian authorities search the hotel.
All the remaining hostages at the Radisson Blu hotel are now safe, according to ministerial adviser Amadou Sangho, who told French television station BFMTV.
"These people have been taken under the wing of the civil authorities," he said.
AFP, citing a security minister, are reporting that the hostage situation is over at the Radisson Blu hotel as the gunmen are no longer holding any more civilians.
Meanwhile, AFP say that 18 bodies have been recovered from Mali hotel siege, according to a foreign security source.
A local Malian radio station is reporting that as many as 15 people could be dead following the terrorist attack on the Radisson Blu hotel. The media organization cited a civil protection official.
A staff member of the French Community of Belgium has died during attempts to free hostages in Bamako, RIA Novosti reports, citing the head of a regional ministry council. He was one of four Belgians who was in the hotel at the time of the attacks. Another Belgian was freed.
An African jihadist group, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Radisson Blu hotel.
Al-Mourabitoun, a group based in northern Mali and made up mostly of Tuaregs and Arabs, posted a message on Twitter saying it was behind the attack on the hotel, where hostages are still being held.
The claim could not immediately be verified.
French Special Forces have arrived at the Radisson Blu hotel, the French defense minister has confirmed.
"In response to a request by Malian authorities, the defense minister ... has decided to send a unit of Special Forces," a defense ministry statement read over the telephone to Reuters said.
"The unit has been asked to help Malian security forces with regard the ongoing Bamako hotel Radisson hostage situation."
A US military spokesman says that six American citizens have been rescued from the Radisson Blu hotel.
Army Colonel Mark Cheadle, a spokesman for the US Africa Command, also said that US Special Forces were providing assistance.
The US State Department says US citizens may be stuck in the hotel. Meanwhile, US soldiers are helping to evacuate civilians from the building, a US defense official has stated. Around 25 American soldiers were in Bamako at the time of the attack, but there has not been a formal request for added assistance.
There have been reports of heavy gunfire from inside the Radisson Blu hotel as soldiers try to free hostages who have barricaded themselves in on the building’s seventh floor, a witness and security source have said, as cited by Reuters.
"Security forces are operating inside and are clearing each floor bit by bit and freeing hostages who are in their rooms," the security source said. "There are dozens, even around a hundred, still inside."
Ricardo Baretzky, from the European Center for Information Policy says that tourists in countries like Mali are an “easy target” for terrorists and more must be done to protect them.
“The targeting of hotels where tourists stay is a very clear statement and we will see more of these kinds of events as it is very easy for the terrorists. Tourists should be very careful when going to countries which are on a red list for potential terror attacks. Countries like Mali must step up their security to make sure that tourists will continue to visit," he said
France launched a military operation in Mali in 2013 and there are 1,000 French troops stationed in the country on a permanent basis. There are a further 2,000 French soldiers in neighboring Chad.
Meanwhile, US Special Forces are assisting local troops with the rescue mission, Reuters reports, citing CNN.
The Rezidor group, which owns the hotel, has confirmed that a total of 136 people, 124 guests and 12 staff are still inside the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako. Earlier there had been reports that 80 hostages had managed to flee the building.
"Our highest concern is the safety of all our guests and employees in the hotel. We are in constant contact with the authorities there and will share further information with you when we have it," a statement from the company read.
Mali has witnessed a number of terrorist attacks over the last few years. In March, five people were killed when gunmen opened fire on a restaurant in Bamako, which was favored by tourists.
In August, an attack on a UN hotel saw 13 people killed as gunmen stormed the building. A group linked with Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the assault. UN peackeepers have also been targeted on numerous occasions by jihadist groups.
A reporter Thabile Nagwato spoke to RT to give the latest about the situation at the Radisson Blue hotel in Bamako.
“We have an understanding that three people lost their lives in this incident – two Malian nationals and one French national. There are reports that there are no French troops at the scene at the moment.”
“Three UN officials were removed safely and at the moment [the security forces] are trying make sure the hostages are taken out of the hotel safely. The majority of the hostages are still in the building and they [the security forces] are trying to find a way to communicate with them."
The Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has confirmed five of the seven Turkish Airlines crew members have been rescued from the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako.
Davutoglu also mentioned that the authorities were in contact with the other two crew members who work for the airline, who are still in the hotel.
A hostage freed from the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital of Mali said he heard the attackers speaking in English, Reuters reports.
Elite French gendarmes from the GIGN, specialised in hostage situations, on their way to Mali.
A witness outside the luxury hotel has confirmed that the attackers are still inside the building.
"The attackers are still inside. We're hearing gunfire from time to time," the witness said, as cited by Reuters.
Air France has confirmed that 12 of its employees who were caught up in the siege at the Radisson Blu hotel are unarmed and are safe. The group consisted of two pilots and 10 cabin crew.
The airline had already announced that it was cancelling flights to and from Bamako on Friday as a precaution.
Further video footage obtained by RT's video agency Ruptly appears to show Malian Special Forces helping hostages to safety in the vicinity of the hotel. There is a heavy police presence around the building and the security forces seem to have control of the entry points to the hotel.
Pictures from inside the hotel in what appears to be the lobby area have been released. The footage appears to show armed Malian Special Forces seemingly in control of the situation.
A security source and witnesses say that Mali Special Forces are clearing the Radisson Blu hotel “floor by floor,” while sporadic gunfire can be heard. There had been earlier reports that the attackers had managed to reach the seventh and top floor of the luxury hotel in the Bamako.
State television in Mali says that 80 of the 170 hostages held at the Radisson Blu hotel have been freed, Reuters is reporting.
New Delhi says that 20 Indians are being held hostage in the Mali hotel siege, AFP reports.
Air France says it has cancelled flights AF3852 and AF3873 to and from Bamako.
A French presidential source earlier confirmed that French citizens are among those being held at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako.
Malian Special Forces have entered the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako where gunmen are guests and staff hostage witnesses and a police source have stated, as cited by Reuters.
"They've penetrated inside the hotel. The operations are under way," the police source said.
The Malian Security Ministry says its goal is to “neutralize the terrorists with no casualties,” Radio France Internationale is reporting. The media outlet also reports that the three confirmed deaths were not hostages and were killed when the attackers arrived at the hotel.
Video footage has been released near to the Radisson Blu hotel in the Malian capital. A police pickup truck is visible, while a large crowd of people have gathered near-by.
Five of the six Turkish Airlines staff who had been held at hostage at the Radisson Blue hotel in Bamako have been released according to reports from Al Jazeera. There had earlier been reports that three of the airline employees had managed to escape from the hotel.
The Mali presidential office says the country’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is cutting short a visit to Chad and will return back home to deal with the hostage situation.
A tweet released by the office states: "President IBK who is in N'djamena in Chad for the G5 Sahel summit has cut short his visit and will return to Bamako in the next few hours."
Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote has confirmed he is not at the Radisson Blu hotel. The Nigerian said he had been in the country yesterday and is not being held hostage.
A Turkish official says that three Turkish Airlines staff members have managed to escape from the Radisson Blue hotel, which is currently under attack, Reuters reports.
A Mali Army commander says about 20 hostages have been freed from the Bamako hotel seized by gunmen, according to AP.
Mali’s security ministry has said that at least three hostages have been killed by gunmen at the Radisson Blue hotel, AFP is reporting.
A Mali official says that security forces from the country are currently storming the Radisson Blue hotel, as cited by AFP.
US President Barack Obama, who is currently in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, has been briefed by his national security advisor about the attack on the Radisson Blue hotel, a White House official has stated.
Obama had asked his team to keep him apprised of the ongoing situation, having spoken to National Security Advisor Susan Rice, the official told reporters in Kuala Lumpur, where he is attending a regional summit.
Meanwhile, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office says it is also aware of the situation in Mali.
A French presidential source has given an update from the Malian capital Bamako. The source who is close to the French President Francois Hollande mentioned, “We are still awaiting more precise information that’s been checked out,” Reuters reports.
The source added that, “The president is following the situation closely.”
The Xinhua news agency has released a video filmed by a Chinese national who is amongst the hostages at the Radisson Blu in Bamako.
Malian Special Forces are at the scene of the hotel siege and France is providing logistics and intelligence support according to a French diplomatic source.
The US Embassy in Bamako says it is aware of the hostage situation at the Radisson Blu hotel and has called on US citizens in the country to comply with instructions given by the local authorities and monitor the local media.
“The US Embassy staff has been asked to shelter in place. All US citizens should shelter in place,” a tweet from the US diplomatic mission read.
A Turkish official has also stated that six Turkish nationals are inside the hotel in the capital of Mali.
"There are six Turkish Airlines personnel in the hotel," Reuters cited a Turkish official as saying.
Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital of Mali on Friday morning and took 170 people hostage, AP reports.
Witnesses at the scene have reported that the attackers arrived in a diplomatic vehicle, and are now “walking quietly” around seven stories of the hotel. “It’s happening on the seventh floor, the jihadists are now shooting in the corridor,” the security source also said.
It has been confirmed by a French presidential source that French citizens are among those being held at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako. There are a total of 170 hostages, including 140 guests and 30 staff.
Among the hostages are US, French and Chinese citizens, according to media reports. Some reports suggest they include French military, Air France employees and Thales [major electronic systems company working in defense and aerospace] personnel. Gunmen have reportedly let some hostages go, including those able to recite verses of the Koran, security sources told Reuters.
A United Nations spokesman Olivier Salgado has said speaking from Bamako, "The attack is ongoing," and that "What we know is that the attackers are in the hotel and have automatic weapons."
He also refuted reports that UN officials were taking part in a function at the hotel, when it was stormed by the gunmen, RIA reports.