Ouagadougou – Suspected Islamist fighters have reportedly attacked a major hotel in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou and are engaged in fighting with security forces.
Eyewitnesses said two car bombs went off outside the Splendid hotel at around 19:30 local time (same as GMT).
The fighters have taken hostages, police say.
“It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions. Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours,” a senior official with the national gendarmes said asking not to be named.
The gunmen stormed the hotel, burning cars outside and firing in the air to drive back crowds before security forces arrived, prompting an intense exchange of gunfire.
The hotel is reportedly used by UN staff and westerners.
The French Ambassador for Burkina Faso has described the situation as a “terrorist attack”
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