18 bodies found after jihadists attack Malian hotel
Posted November 20, 2015 12:00 am
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - Malian national television reported that no more hostages were being held at a luxury hotel after a day-long siege by Islamic militants.
National broadcaster ORTM, citing security officials, said 18 bodies already had been at the hotel and that no more hostages were being held. A source with Mali's U.N. mission said at least 12 bodies had been recovered from the hotel. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
It was not immediately clear whether attackers were still alive inside the hotel.
Gunfire continued into the late afternoon, and Malian army commander Modibo Nama Traore said operations were continuing.
An extremist group that two years ago split from al-Qaida's North Africa branch claimed responsibility for the attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako.
Mali trooper helps a hostage, center, leave the scene of the Radisson Blu hotel to safety after gunmen attacked the hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. Islamic extremists armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning, killing at least three people and initially taking numerous hostages, authorities said.
(AP Photo/Harouna Traore)
People run to flee from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. The company that runs the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital says assailants have taken hostages in a brazen assault involving grenades.
(AP Photo/Harouna Traore)
Security force personnel escort people fleeing from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. The company that runs the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital says assailants have taken hostages in a brazen assault involving grenades.
(AP Photo/Harouna Traore)
In this TV image taken from Mali TV ORTM, security forces help hostages to safety, inside the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday Nov. 20, 2015. Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning.
(Mali TV ORTM, AP)
In this TV image taken from Mali TV ORTM, security forces help hostages to safety, inside the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday Nov. 20, 2015. Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning.
(Mali TV ORTM, AP)
In this TV image taken from Mali TV ORTM, security forces help hostages to safety, inside the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday Nov. 20, 2015. Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning.
(Mali TV ORTM, AP)
In this TV image taken from Mali TV ORTM, a security officer gives instructions to other security forces inside the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday Nov. 20, 2015. Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning.
(Mali TV ORTM, AP)
People run to flee from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. The company that runs the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital says assailants have taken hostages in a brazen assault involving grenades.
(AP Photo/Harouna Traore)
Onlookers gather near the Radisson Blu hotel after gunmen stormed the building in Bamako, Mali, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning.
(AP Photo/Harouna Traore)
Security forces, center left, escorts a man, center right, from the Radisson Blu hotel entrance area were gunmen attacked in Bamako, Mali, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning.
(AP Photo/Harouna Traore)
In this image made available by Malikahere.com security personnel, attend close to the scene of an attack on a hotel in Bamako, Mali Friday Nov. 20, 2015. Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning.
(Malikahere.com via AP)
In this TV image taken from Mali TV ORTM, security forces stand close to the scene of the hotel attack in the Radisson Blu Hotel hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday Nov. 20, 2015. Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning. (Mali TV ORTM, AP) MALI OUT
In this TV image taken from Mali TV ORTM, Security forces approach the Radisson Blu Hotel hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday Nov. 20, 2015. Men shouting "God is great" and armed with guns and throwing grenades stormed into the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning.
(Mali TV ORTM, AP) MALI OUT
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