ISIS 170 Hostages Radisson Hotel Malian

Admin Fri 20 Nov 2015, 9:13 pm

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
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
By TOM WYKE and JAY AKBAR FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 09:10, 20 November 2015 | UPDATED: 10:55, 20 November 2015
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3326708/Jihadists-gunmen-launch-grenade-shooting-rampage-hotel-Mali.html
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3326708/Jihadists-gunmen-launch-grenade-shooting-rampage-hotel-Mali.html#ixzz3s1pJu93H
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Armed jihadists have killed at least three people in 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 how the gunmen allowed around 20 hostages to leave safely after they proved they were able to recite verses of the Koran to the militants.
No group have claimed responsibility for the hotel attack, which is frequently used by Air France crew, although Al Qaeda affiliated militants have previously carried out attacks in Mali.
PHOTO Armed jihadists have gone on a deadly shooting rampage inside the Radisson Blu hotel (pictured) in the centre of Bamako, Mali
Terrified civilians run for their lives through the streets of Bamako after escaping the hotel siege
Several witnesses have claimed that the gunmen entered the hotel in a car with a diplomatic number plate before opening fire in the building.
Two Malians and one French national have been killed while six workers for Turkish Airlines and seven Chinese nationals are thought to be among the hostages.
'It's all happening on the seventh floor, jihadists are firing in the corridor,' a security source said.
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'.
PHOTO'S Chaotic scenes near the Radisson Blu hotel, where 170 people have been held hostage by gunmen in Mali
Military officers prepare outside the hotel, where as many as 12 gunmen have taken hostages
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.
SEE MUCH MORE
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3326708/Jihadists-gunmen-launch-grenade-shooting-rampage-hotel-Mali.html