Jihadist gunmen screaming 'Allahu Akbar' launch grenade and shooting rampage in hotel in Mali

[superbeets]

[h=1]BREAKING NEWS: Jihadist gunmen screaming 'Allahu Akbar' launch grenade and shooting rampage in hotel in Mali and take 170 people hostage before freeing a handful who could recite the Koran[/h]

• Radison Blu hotel under attack by jihadists in Malian capital of Bamako
• Up to 12 gunmen have taken 170 hostages inside the Radisson hotel
• Gunmen tested hostages' knowledge of the Koran and allowed Muslim hostages to leave the hotel
• US embassy urges American nationals to 'shelter in place' from attack
• Air France crew have frequently stayed at the Radisson Blu hotel
• At least three people have killed including one French national

 

[superbeets]

Armed jihadists have gone on a deadly shooting rampage and taken 170 hostages at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, Mali.
Automatic weapons fire has been heard on the seventh floor of the 190-room hotel, where it is thought as many as 12 militants have taken 140 guests and 30 members of staff hostage.
Witnesses described hearing at least one explosion and shouts of 'Allahu Akbar' during the hotel attack, which is frequently used by Air France crew in Mali.
No group have claimed responsibility for the attack but Al Qaeda affiliated militants have previously carried out attacks in Mali.

+9


Armed jihadists have gone on a deadly shooting rampage inside the Radisson Blu hotel (pictured) in the centre of Bamako, Mali

+9


Terrified civilians run for their lives through the streets of Bamako after escaping the hotel siege

Several witnesses claimed that the gunmen were seen entering the hotel in a car with a diplomatic number plate.
Some hostages have been freed from the hotel after they proved to they could recite verses from the Koran.
Six workers for Turkish Airlines are thought to be among the hostages as well as up to seven Chinese nationals.
Three people have reportedly been killed, two Malians and one French national.
'It's all happening on the seventh floor, jihadists are firing in the corridor,' a security source said.

 

[superbeets]

The Rezidor Hotel Group confirmed it is '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,' the statement said.
'Our safety and security teams and our corporate team are in constant contact with the local authorities in order to offer any support possible to re-instate safety and security at the hotel,' it added.
The US embassy in Bamako has urged embassy staff to seek cover from the attack, tweeting that all Americans in Mali should 'shelter in place'.

+9


Chaotic scenes near the Radisson Blu hotel, where 170 people have been held hostage by gunmen in Mali

+9


Military officers prepare outside the hotel, where as many as 12 gunmen have taken hostages

+9


Heavily armed Malian troops take up position over the Radisson Blu hotel in the country's capital Bamako

The horrific terror attacks comes just a few days after ISIS gunmen massacred 129 people on the streets of Paris.
Suicide bombers targeted the Stade de France, cafes and restaurants as well as taking dozens of hostages at a death metal concert at the Bataclan theatre.
The co-ordinated attack was later claimed by ISIS, leading to a mass police hunt for one of the surviving gunmen and the ringleader of the deadly attack.
Fears remain that the attack in Bamako may be linked or inspired by the Paris attack, where French nationals were targeted for the government's decision to carry out air strikes against ISIS.
Mali, a former colony of France, has been battling several terror groups, predominantly located in the north of the country.
French special forces have been assisting the Malian army in their long standing counter-terrorism operation against militants from Ansar ad-Din, al-Qaeda in the Maghreb and Tuareg rebels.

+9


Army officers direct several of the hotel guests to safety. Witnesses describe how the gunmen tested each guest about their knowledge of the Koran

+9


Witnesses described hearing at least one explosion coming from the hotel, which is a popular choice for foreign dignitaries visiting Mali

No group have claimed responsibility for the attack but Al Qaeda affiliated militants have previously carried out attacks in the Sahel based country

+9


French troops have been working in Mali as part of a joint anti-terrorist operation in the troubled Sahel region

• SHARE PICTURE

​

+9


Mali has been battling with jihadi militants, predominantly in the north of the country

 

[superbeets]

The shooting in Mali follows a nearly 24-hour siege and hostage-taking at another hotel in August in the central Malian town of Sevare.
Four soldiers, five UN workers and four attackers were killed in the deadly attack, thought to have been carried out by Al-Qaeda linked militants.
Islamist groups have been waging attacks in Mali despite a June peace deal between former Tuareg rebels in the north of the country and rival pro-government armed groups.
Northern Mali fell in March-April 2012 to Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist groups long concentrated in the area before being ousted by an ongoing French-led military operation launched in January 2013.
Despite the peace deal, large swathes of Mali remain beyond the control of government and foreign forces.

 

[superbeets]

 

[superbeets]

Just in: US Special Operations forces assisting in hostage rescue at Radisson Hotel in Bamako #Mali - US Africa Command

 

[GasMan]

Are you SURE they were Muslim? Let's not jump to any conclusions.

 

[superbeets]

Are you SURE they were Muslim? Let's not jump to any conclusions.

Muslims are peace loving. So it is unlikely. They follow Islam which is a religion of peace so it is very unlikely.

 

[superbeets]

President Barack Obama says he's monitoring the situation playing out in Mali

 

[Acebb]

Anyone want a review of Hillary clinton Tweets about Islam & terrorism?

 

[SheriffJoe]

What video on Youtube were they pissed about now?

 

[festeringZit]

These terrorists, were they Christian, Buddhist? Hindu?

 

[ScottL]

Just in: US Special Operations forces assisting in hostage rescue at Radisson Hotel in Bamako #Mali - US Africa Command

Are we the greatest or what?