Over 20 Killed in Bamako Hotel Attack, President Says

Over 20 people were killed in the Friday attack in Mali’s capital, Bamako, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On Friday, several armed militants took 170 people hostage at Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako. Malian and UN security forces then conducted an anti-terrorist operation to free the hostages.

Keita said as cited by BBC on Friday, that over 20 people were killed in the attack. The president declared a national state of emergency in Mali.

Earlier, ABC News reported that a 10-day state of emergency had been declared in the country.

Mali’s prosecutor told local media that at least 20 people were killed and seven were injured during the anti-terrorist operation at the hotel in Bamako.

The dead reportedly include two militants.

Local media previously reported that 27 people were killed in the attack.

An American citizen was among the victims, according to US officials.

The Al Mourabitoun Islamist militant group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out jointly with al Qaeda.