170 People Taken Hostage at Mali Hotel (abc) , not sure if we have any goodjers there?
3 deaths reported so far
eta: reports that
Malian army commander Modibo Nama Traore later said that 20 people had been released
now at least 80 freed, thankfully, let's hope they can get the rest of them.
Sounds like the special forces sweep took care of the situation.
The ending isn't any more important than any of the moments leading to it.
Freaking terrible. Looks like 130+ safe, 27 dead so far.
The two sides to every story are true and false, not yours and theirs. Facts are not political; lies are. - Deven Green (Mrs. Betty Bowers)
The article makes no mention of why or what the goal was.
There was a diplomatic meeting being held at the hotel that was trying to hash out a peace process for the country.
There was a coup d’état and rebellion in 2012 where elements of the Malian military deserted and joined with Islamic groups. They essentially took over the northern part of Mali.
A UN peacekeeping mission was deployed in early 2013 (the second largest active peacekeeping mission) and about the same time several Islamic groups attacked Malian cities, briefly captured them, and were eventually pushed back. The Malian government's grip on cities in the north is tenuous and there are continued insurgent attacks from the various rebel and Islamic groups.
It looks like one of those Islamic groups, Al-Mourabitoun, has claimed credit for the attack.
Ima going to go to shalam baskey now
Someone should trade Fascism to Mansa Musa so he can institute a Police State.