al Qaeda claims credit for Burkino Faso attack
According to BBC, 27 people have been killed in Ouagadougou, the capitol of Burkino Faso, a central African nation. More than a hundred hostages were released after at least four terrorists were killed by American- and French-supported local national troops. Government officials disagree on whether or not two women were among the gunmen.
Militants attacked the Splendid [Hotel] and the nearby Cappuccino cafe on Friday evening, setting off several explosions. Both places are popular with UN staff and foreigners.
Survivors described how the militants went from person to person, touching their bodies to see if they moved.
“They started shooting, shooting, and everybody lay down on the ground,” said Mariette, who escaped from the hotel with her younger sister.
“As soon as you lifted your head they would shoot straightaway, so you had to pretend to be dead. And they even came to touch our feet to check if we were alive. As soon as you were alive, they would shoot at you.”
Interior Minister Simon Compaore said 10 bodies had been found on the cafe terrace alone. He added that at least 33 hostages had been injured.
CNN says that there a couple of dozen Americans stationed in Burkino Faso;
U.S. forces helped with logistical support. The United States has about 75 military personnel in Burkina Faso, including 15 assigned to the U.S. Embassy, according to a U.S. defense official. An additional 60 help train and advise the French military in the nation.
According to witness accounts, the terrorists would poke the bodies of people on the floor and if the bodies moved, they’d shoot their victims once again. Reports are that the 23 victims were of at least 18 different nationalities.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the assault, local media reported. CNN could not independently confirm that claim.
The al Qaeda-linked Al-Mourabitoun said it conducted the attack, which had similarities to the one in neighboring Mali in November.
Category: Terror War
CNN, I highly doubt that the U.S. troops are in Burkina Faso to “train and advise the French military in the nation”. However, considering you are CNN, I’ll cut you a wee bit of slack on that.
The French President condemned that attack, and the outrage of the U.S. rose to embassy level. That’ll show al Qaeda. By the way, didn’t someone tell us that GM was alive and AQ was on the run, Øbama? Is that where AQ ran to?
I thought they were contained! Or is that ISIS? Either way everyone calm down; nothing to worry about here.
AQ is on the run, ISIS is contained. Pretty soon we’ll need a program to keep track of the groups and how Barry the Magnificent is handling them.