Burkina Faso Hotel Attacked: Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility!!!

In Quagadougou the capital of Burkina Faso , Splendid Hotel was attacked today. Several unidentified masked man stormed the Hotel Splendid, taking hostages after car bombs went outside an eye witness said. Burkina Faso is the landlocked country in West Africa surrounded by 6 cities.

The Communications Minister Remis Dandjinou tweeted that " 30 hostages had been liberated and the military operation to secure the site was  going on.

The Minister of Public Welfare Clement Sawadogo was among the freed. 33 were in hospital receiving treatment but the number of those who lost their lives are not yet known.

French Special Forces and Burkinabe Troops carried out the operation of rescuing hostages."

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb(AQIM) claimed the responsibility for the attack on the four star hotel. An eyewitness said "a gunman entered the Cappuccino Cafe near the hotel -used by UN staff and westerners, several people had been killed there.

The violence had started Friday night when unidentified number of gunman stormed the Cappucino Cafe restaurant while  100 people were sitting inside said by the owner.

A witness also said that the attackers wore turbans and spoke language not native to Burkina Faso.

Burkinabe Troops with support from France and American Troops have sealed the area. France requested the immediate support of US soldiers and US drone will be flown over the scene to provide surveillance

Burkina Faso had recently held its first Presidential Election last year before that long time leader Blaise Compaore has governed the nation for 27 years.

"The country has long borders with Mali and Niger and we know that are armed groups present on the border , so this was probably something we had coming" an analyst with International Crisis Group said.