Mali hotel attacked by gunmen in Bamako

[webfact]

Shooting reported at Mali hotel

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — The U.S. Embassy in Mali asked citizens to shelter in place amid reports of an "ongoing active shooter operation" at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital, Bamako, raising fears of a terror attack.

Reports of gunfire surfaced Friday morning on social media, though Lt. Col. Diarran Kone, an adviser with Mali's defense ministry, says it is not yet clear what has happened.

Following a military coup in 2012, Islamic extremists took control of northern Mali, prompting a French-led military intervention in early 2013. The extremists were scattered from northern towns and cities, though the north remains insecure and militant attacks have extended farther south this year.

In March masked gunmen shot up a Bamako restaurant popular with foreigners, killing five people.

About 1,000 French troops remain in the country.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-11-20

[webfact]

Mali hotel attacked by gunmen in Bamako

Gunmen have launched an attack on the Radisson Blu Hotel in the centre of Mali's capital, Bamako.

"Apparently it's an attempt to take hostages. The police are there and are sealing off the area," a security source told Reuters news agency.

Automatic weapon fire could be heard from outside the 190-room hotel, AFP reports.

BBC Afrique's Abdourahmane Dia says the US-owned hotel is popular with expats working in Mali.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34877069


-- BBC 2015-11-20

[webfact]

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - Hotel company: 170 hostages - 140 guests and 30 employees - taken in Radisson Blu attack.

[webfact]

Militants ‘holding 170 hostages’ in Mali hotel siege
By Chris Harris | With AFP, RWS

A militant attack is underway at one of the biggest hotels in Mali.

The Radisson hotel in Bamako says two attackers have taken 170 people hostage, including 140 guests and 30 members of staff.

Police have sealed off the area.

Gunfire has been heard from inside the building.

Media say the hotel is popular with foreign visitors.

“Very early in the morning there was gunfire. Apparently it’s an attempt to take hostages. The police are there and are sealing off the area,” the security source said.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-11-20

[Usernames]

Here we go again. "Gunmen?" "Militants?" That's all we're given to read above. What type of gunmen and militants, I wonder. Oh, here it is. I see why we couldn't mention it, now.

Police have surrounded the hotel, which the gunmen entered shooting, and shouting "God is great!" in Arabic, a security source told Reuters.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34877069

[OMGImInPattaya]

Scratch Timbuktu for my next holiday...Pattaya looks pretty good at the moment.

[Prbkk]

This is not going to end well

[chiang mai]

How long before they figure out that it's far easier to target westerners in a place like Pattaya than it is in London, not long is my guess.

EDIT to add: it looks as though KL is already a target:http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/20/malaysian-police-report-warns-of-suicide-bombers-ahead-of-asean-summit

Edited November 20, 2015 by chiang mai

[steven100]

I may cancel my Mali holiday this year.

[Jingthing]

They have released hostages who are able to demonstrate they are Muslims.

Religion of peace!

[lopburi3]

French forces are present in country and en route from current reports.

[JetsetBkk]

some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Koran, are being freed.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34877069

Where can I get a copy?

[Usernames]

If we start to see these attacks at the rate of one or two per week, one of two things will happen. Complete clampdown and rooting out of the problem or collapse into chaos. Maybe not there yet. But could be soon.

[Jingthing]

If we start to see these attacks at the rate of one or two per week, one of two things will happen. Complete clampdown and rooting out of the problem or collapse into chaos. Maybe not there yet. But could be soon.

These terror forces seem to be encouraging the backlash. Part of the plan.

[mcfish]

I hope the army...wait, do they even have one? In any case they are better off storming them straight away and then maybe only 50% will die compared to all of them. Thats what I would want if I was a hostage

[Jingthing]

I hope the army...wait, do they even have one? In any case they are better off storming them straight away and then maybe only 50% will die compared to all of them. Thats what I would want if I was a hostage

There are critics of how the French dealt with the concert massacre asserting that a lot fewer would be dead if they had stormed in much earlier. Hard choices indeed.

Edited November 20, 2015 by Jingthing

[uptheos]

They have released hostages who are able to demonstrate they are Muslims.

Religion of peace!

It's always Muslims, they may have many different names and groups, but they're always Muslims.

[i claudius]

They have released hostages who are able to demonstrate they are Muslims.

Religion of peace!

How long before the usuall ones on here try to tell us its not only this religion carrying out this sort of thing , still are we sure they are Muslim , it could be the seventh day adventists , or the mormons they are a pretty tough crew .

Edited November 20, 2015 by i claudius

[Mosha]

3 Hostages dead so far. 1 guy escaped from the gym. It seems some in there knew it was coming and left early.

[simon43]

How long before the usual ones on here try to tell us its not only this religion carrying out this sort of thing

Don't worry, the moderate Muslims will soon be tweeting 'Stop these naughty games right away'

[Scott]

Troll posts removed. Continued off-topic posting will result in suspensions.

We some posters who are so narrow minded they could see through a key hole with both eyes.

Stay on topic.

[Usernames]

CNN is already worried about a backlash against muslims and the siege has just begun.

[White Christmas13]

some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Koran, are being freed.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34877069

Where can I get a copy?

I will let you know tomorrow I will ask the Syrian refugees who just arrived

here in Perth (already enjoying the new home and contents )

[4evermaat]

Any video coverage webfact?

[OMGImInPattaya]

some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Koran, are being freed.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34877069

Where can I get a copy?

They should start with the one: "There shall be no compulsion in religion."

2:256 Quran

Edited November 20, 2015 by OMGImInPattaya

[JetsetBkk]

"Breaking News" banner on BBC World channel: "Obama is monitoring the situation"

I feel so much safer now.

[OMGImInPattaya]

"Breaking News" banner on BBC World channel: "Obama is monitoring th

I feel so much safer now.

Be thankful it isn't Trump or Ben Carson!

[MaxYakov]

They have released hostages who are able to demonstrate they are Muslims.

Religion of peace!

Islam: The religion of peace - Submit or eternal peace will be visited upon you, by the will of Allah

[Tywais]

Mali hotel attack: Gunmen kills 3, takes 170 people hostage

[Scott]

Off-topic posts removed.