20 killed in Al-Qaeda attack in Burkina Faso hotel

In West Africa, Gunmen have attacked a hotel used by westerners in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso taking hostages. At least 20 people have been killed and more than 15 injured in the incident. 

Eyewitnesses said, two car bombs went off outside the Splendid Hotel Friday. Three to four masked men then stormed the Splendid Hotel, which is used by UN staff and westerners. Reports suggest the nearby Cappucino Cafe has also been attacked. The four-star hotel is located close to the country's international airport.

The US Embassy in



Ouagadougou said it is aware of the incident and is closely following the situation. Foreign Minister Alpha Barry said security forces would launch a raid to free hostages. He said he was "not ruling out possible support of foreign forces including French special forces".

A local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the SITE Intelligence Group, the AQIM issued its claim in Arabic on their Muslim Africa Telegram account, saying the attackers are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing.