Mali hotel 'attacked by gunmen'

[Josy]

The Reuters news agency quotes a security source in Mali saying that "very early in the morning there was gunfire [at the Radisson hotel]. Apparently it's an attempt to take hostages. The police are there and are sealing off the area."

The BBC's Abdourahmane Dia says that this is a hotel where a lot of expats stay.

Not much more being said atm

[Ashley.]

Supposed hostage attempt; citizens are being asked to shelter in place, as well as being encouraged to contact their families. :worry:

[kirklancaster]

Let's hope and pray that the Mali authorities quickly resolve this situation with as few innocent casualities as possible and with the terrorists either taken alive if possible but killed if not.

[erinp5]

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.
In August, suspected Islamist gunmen killed 13 people, including five UN workers, during a hostage siege at a hotel in the central Malian town of Sevare.
France, the former colonial power in Mali, intervened in the country after al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to march on Bamako in January 2013 after taking control of the north of the country.
Mali attack: Live updates
The US embassy in Bamako has tweeted that it "is aware of an ongoing active shooter operation at the Radisson Hotel".
All US citizens were asked "to shelter in place" and "encouraged to contact their families".
"It's all happening on the seventh floor, jihadists are firing in the corridor," a security source told AFP.
Witnesses say the police have surrounded the hotel and are blocking roads leading into the neighbourhood.
The Rezidor Hotel Group, which owns the Radisson Blu, said it was aware of "the hostage-taking that is ongoing at the property today".
"As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees," AFP quotes its statement as saying.
The UN force in Mali took over responsibility for security in the country from French troops in July 2013.



BREAKING NEWS: Jihadist gunmen launch grenade and shooting rampage in hotel and take 170 guests and staff hostage in Mali
Radison Blu hotel under attack by jihadists in Malian capital of Bamako
Gunmen are believed to have taken hostages inside the Radisson hotel
Explosions and machine gun fire were heard at the popular hotel in Mali
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3326708/Jihadists-gunmen-launch-grenade-shooting-rampage-hotel-Mali.html

[Niamh.]

Not another one :(

[Ashley.]

:(

[bots]

at least in a hotel you can lock your door and protect yourself, so hopefully it will be a better situation than Paris

[arista]

Nice those that spoke the Koran
could leave the Hotel

Lucky



Evil Isis
Sub Group

[Niamh.]

at least in a hotel you can lock your door and protect yourself, so hopefully it will be a better situation than Paris

A hotel room door isn't going to be much protection though

[bots]

A hotel room door isn't going to be much protection though

there will be plenty empty rooms as well as occupied, in terms of making a fast impact, that will be near impossible with people in their rooms and breaking down each and every door to then search for occupants. Of course those in public areas are in immediate danger.

[arista]

A hotel room door isn't going to be much protection though



But if they speak that bible
they will move to the next door to shoot down

[Niamh.]

there will be plenty empty rooms as well as occupied, in terms of making a fast impact, that will be near impossible with people in their rooms and breaking down each and every door to then search for occupants. Of course those in public areas are in immediate danger.

mm I guess they have more hope than the ones who weren't in their rooms at the time although I'd imagine that these gunmen would search the rest of the hotel? They wouldn't need to break down any doors really, all they need do is get a master key from the hotel staff

[bots]

mm I guess they have more hope than the ones who weren't in their rooms at the time although I'd imagine that these gunmen would search the rest of the hotel? They wouldn't need to break down any doors really, all they need do is get a master key from the hotel staff

the doors can be locked to prevent staff access. One would hope that it gives the security forces the time necessary to take action, but if they have a load of hostages in public areas they probably don't care about people in their rooms, and it makes the security forces task a lot more difficult.

Usually in hostage situations security forces are reluctant to take action in fear for hostage lives, but with this lot, the hostages fate is already pretty much sealed, there just needs to be fast action to minimise casualties.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I am astounded that anyone would go to mali for a holiday

:umm2:

[Denver]

Luckily this terrorist group isn't that big so if bigger countries step in they can easily be destroyed.

[arista]

I am astounded that anyone would go to mali for a holiday

:umm2:


But it used a for UN and French people
who used to Run that nation

[arista]

Jihadists kill three as they
go 'floor to floor' screaming 'Allahu Akbar'
during AK-47 rampage at Mali hotel
and take 170 hostages before freeing
those who could recite the Koran

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3326708/Jihadists-gunmen-launch-grenade-shooting-rampage-hotel-Mali.html#ixzz3s26w0qpL

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/11/20/11/2EA282F300000578-3326708-Armed_with_machine_guns_and_carrying_armoured_shie lds_Malian_tro-a-117_1448020769770.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/11/20/11/2EA1D00600000578-3326708-Mali_has_been_battling_with_jihadi_militants_predo minantly_in_th-a-118_1448020769781.jpg

http://news.sky.com/story/1591106/deaths-as-dozens-held-hostage-in-mali-hotel
Video Report

http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2015/11/20/431182/default/v1/mali-map-1-589x442.jpg

[Mystic Mock]

I still think destroying ISIS Food and Drink supply for every attack that they do is a good idea.

[Denver]

I still think destroying ISIS Food and Drink supply for every attack that they do is a good idea.

It can't happen as they would just steal plus these group are mega rich they would just find somewhere willing to import

[bots]

Apparently there are now around 60 hostages with the others either escaping or having been released.

[arista]

The France24 Lady on the BBC Daily Politics
said it is to do with Paris Nov13th attack


Americans are in that Hotel
Ref : FoxNewsHD Live

[Kizzy]

Here’s how things currently stand:

Up to 10 gunmen, said to be shouting “Allahu Akbar”, stormed the Radisson Blu hotel in an upmarket area of Mali’s capital, Bamako at 7am on Friday morning. They initially held hostage 140 guests and 30 hotel staff.
At least three people were killed in the attack. They are said to include two Malian security guards and a French national.
Some 80 hostages have been freed after security forces entered the hotel. Those who escaped include five Turkish Airline staff and 12 Air France Staff. State TV showed footage of several hostages being freed.
The UN and France has sent security reinforcement to the scene. France’s president, François Hollande, said everything possible was being done to end the siege.'

http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/nov/20/mali-hotel-attack-gunmen-take-hostages-in-bamako-live-updates

[DemolitionRed]

I certainly wouldn't consider Mali to be safe. There have been numerous attacks and this one is only being brought to light because of what happened in Paris.

[Cherie]

I certainly wouldn't consider Mali to be safe. There have been numerous attacks and this one is only being brought to light because of what happened in Paris.

Pretty much

[Kizzy]

Heavy gunfire was heard from inside the hotel as soldiers advanced towards hostage-takers barricaded in the building’s seventh floor, a witness and security sources have told 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.”

[smudgie]

According to Facebook 27 killed up to now:bawling:

[Kizzy]

A nine-hour hostage situation at a high-end hotel in Mali’s capital is over after special forces stormed the building, officials said, but an unspecified number of attackers remain on the upper floors and are continuing to resist arrest.

Islamist militants with guns and grenades had taken about 170 people hostage at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako on Friday morning.

There are conflicting reports of the death toll, though UN peacekeeping troops who entered the hotel after the siege said a preliminary search had found 27 bodies. One Belgian national was confirmed as being among the dead. Two gunmen were killed, AFP quoted Mali’s military as saying.

Even after the last hostages were freed, Mali’s security ministry said some attackers remained “dug in” on the upper floors.


http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/20/gunmen-take-hostages-radisson-hotel-mali-bamako

[arista]

3 Terrorists Killed


France24 confirms 22 Dead , so far

[arista]

http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2015/11/20/431262/default/v1/independent-1-563x750.jpg

http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2015/11/20/431275/default/v1/guardian-1-563x750.jpg