President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has declared a national state of emergency and three days of national mourning. In the aftermath of the attack on a hotel in Mali’s capital by Islamist militants on Friday. At least 27 people were killed and seven people were also wounded. Keita cut short a trip to a regional summit in Chad in the wake of the attack.Friday’s assault on the Radisson Blu hotel is the latest in a series of deadly raids this year on high-profile targets in Mali, which has battled Islamist rebels based in its desert north for years.
Freed hostages recalled moments of attack before they were safely rescued by Malian troops.
“I was woken up by gunfire and I immediately contacted two colleagues who confirmed to me that there was an attack on the hotel, and I followed all instructions I was given, that is to say to keep my composure, to hide and to stay away from the windows. And that’s what we did.”
Some did not make it out alive, of those reported dead, at least three of them were Chinese nationals. Four were rescued from the Radisson Blu hotel. The Chinese Embassy in Mali has confirmed those who were rescued are in a stable condition. The hotel was reportedly hosting diplomatic delegations working on the Malian peace process. World leaders have been praising the swift action of Malian special forces for saving lives.
U.S. President Barack Obama said the Mali hotel attacks only stiffened the resolve of the United States and its allies. He was speaking at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia. At least one American citizen has been identified.
