2016 Ouagadougou attacks Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Attacks and sieges == === Cappuccino and Splendid Hotel === [[File:2012 Cappuccino Ouagadougou.jpg|thumb|left|The Cappuccino restaurant in 2012.]] On 15 January 2016 at 19:30,<ref name="CNN"/> according to Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou, six or seven<ref name="bbc16"/> turbaned gunmen,<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/15/world/gunmen-attack-hotel-in-burkina-faso-capital/index.html|title=Gunmen attack hotel in Burkina Faso capital|date=15 January 2016|publisher=CNN|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116000311/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/15/world/gunmen-attack-hotel-in-burkina-faso-capital/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> reportedly arrived in [[four-wheel drive]] cars and burnt ten vehicles.<ref name="France24"/> They attacked the Cappuccino restaurant, which had about 100 guests, according to [[Radio Télévision du Burkina|RTB]],<ref name="cnn"/> and then took hostages<ref name="fr"/> at the 147-room<ref name="abc"/> four-star<ref name="tele"/> Splendid Hotel in the heart of [[Ouagadougou]] on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah.<ref name="fr">{{cite news|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/international/burkina-faso-attaque-contre-un-hotel-frequente-par-des-occidentaux-15-01-2016-5454847.php|title=Burkina Faso : attaque "terroriste" dans un hôtel, les assaillants retranchés|work=Le Parisien|date=15 January 2015|language=fr|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201230645/http://www.leparisien.fr/international/burkina-faso-attaque-contre-un-hotel-frequente-par-des-occidentaux-15-01-2016-5454847.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Both places are frequented by businessmen and foreigners. A dinner of the [[Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar|ASECNA]], which was attended by 200 people, was taking place in the hotel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bienpublic.com/faits-divers/2016/01/15/tirs-et-detonations-dans-un-hotel-de-ouagadougou|title=Faits divers – Attaque terroriste contre un hôtel fréquenté par des occidentaux|publisher=[[Le Bien Public]]|language=French|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117040434/http://www.bienpublic.com/faits-divers/2016/01/15/tirs-et-detonations-dans-un-hotel-de-ouagadougou|url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the perpetrators arrived at the hotel during the day and mingled with guests, while others joined them after nightfall.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/16/africa/burkina-faso-hotel-terrorist-attack/index.html|title=Burkina Faso attack: At least 28 dead, scores freed after hotel siege|date=17 January 2016|publisher=CNN|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117070840/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/16/africa/burkina-faso-hotel-terrorist-attack/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As [[Ouagadougou Airport]] is about {{convert|1.5|km|mi|0}} from the attack site, [[Air France]] and [[Turkish Airlines]] flights were diverted to [[Niamey]], Niger.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airlive.net/2016/01/breaking-explosions-and-fire-reported.html|title=Explosions and fire reported from "Hotel splendid" located near International Airport of Ouagadougou|date=15 January 2015|publisher=Airlive.net|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160116121637/http://www.airlive.net/2016/01/breaking-explosions-and-fire-reported.html|archive-date=16 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Foreign Minister [[Alpha Barry]] said: "We know that there are victims and there are hostages. Currently the area is blocked by security forces waiting for an assault to free the hostages." According to the head of the city's main hospital there were 20 confirmed deaths, while an unnamed Cappuccino staff member said several people had been killed at the restaurant.<ref name="ht"/> At least 20 people were wounded.<ref name="Wesh"/> Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou's university hospital centre, said that one European woman being treated at the hospital had said that the perpetrators appeared to target white people.<ref name="et" /><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.france24.com/en/20160115-shots-explosions-heard-hotel-burkina-faso-capital-ouagadougou|title = Al Qaeda branch claims Burkina Faso hotel attack|publisher = [[France 24]]|date = 15 January 2016|website = france24.com|accessdate = 20 April 2022|archive-date = 4 February 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180204072859/http://www.france24.com/en/20160115-shots-explosions-heard-hotel-burkina-faso-capital-ouagadougou|url-status = live}}</ref> Other survivors, including a Slovenian social anthropologist and a French architect, also reported witnessing white people being "singled out" and [[double tap]]ped by the attackers.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-burkina-attacks-idUSKCN0UT2HC|title = Burkina hotel retaken from al Qaeda fighters, but dozens dead|last1 = Bonkoungou|first1 = Mathieu|last2 = Coulibaly|first2 = Nadoun|publisher = [[Reuters]]|date = 15 January 2016|website = reuters.com|accessdate = 20 April 2022|archive-date = 7 October 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171007182944/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-burkina-attacks-idUSKCN0UT2HC|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/female-jihadis-attack-tourist-hotel-burkina-faso-23-killed-n497871|title = American Missionary Among At Least 23 Killed in al Qaeda-Linked Burkina Faso Attack|publisher = [[NBC News]]|date = 16 January 2016|website = nbcnews.com|accessdate = 20 April 2022|archive-date = 20 April 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220420062625/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/female-jihadis-attack-tourist-hotel-burkina-faso-23-killed-n497871|url-status = live}}</ref> About 10 ambulances were used to ferry the wounded to the hospital through the night.<ref name="temps"/> ==== Counter-attack ==== At 01:00 the next day, the hall was set on fire<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/fr/urgent/20160116-burkina-fasoattaque-hall-lhotel-splendid-feu-journaliste-afp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116030318/http://www.france24.com/fr/urgent/20160116-burkina-fasoattaque-hall-lhotel-splendid-feu-journaliste-afp|archivedate=2016-01-16|title=Burkina Faso/attaque : hall de l'hôtel Splendid en feu|work=France 24|language=French|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> as commandos tried to free an unknown number of hostages, using explosives to enter the building. Two groups of security forces entered the main lobby five hours after the siege began, as gunfire was reported.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/01/16/10/39/gunmen-hold-hostages-in-burkina-faso-hotel#mG2mwm1x1iDLKBrG.99|title=Hostages freed in Burkina Faso raid|work=news|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214124612/https://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/01/16/10/39/gunmen-hold-hostages-in-burkina-faso-hotel#mG2mwm1x1iDLKBrG.99|url-status=live}}</ref> RTB reported intense gunfire for 40 minutes in the direction of the hotel.<ref name="wdsu"/> It further noted that about 33 hostages had been freed<ref name="ib"/><ref name="in">{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/20-dead-in-siege-at-burkina-faso-hotel-islamist-group-claims-responsibility/1/571902.html|title=Burkina Faso hotel attack: 20 killed, 33 hostages freed, Islamist group claims responsibility|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117022640/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/20-dead-in-siege-at-burkina-faso-hotel-islamist-group-claims-responsibility/1/571902.html|url-status=live}}</ref> by security forces, including Minister of Public Services,<ref name="wdsu">{{cite web|url=http://www.wdsu.com/national/gunmen-attack-hotel-in-burkina-faso-capital/37459956|title=Burkina Faso security forces attack hostage-takers at hotel|author=Pierre Meilhan, Basidou Kinda and Ralph Ellis|date=27 August 2014|work=WDSU|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126223939/http://www.wdsu.com/national/gunmen-attack-hotel-in-burkina-faso-capital/37459956|url-status=live}}</ref> Labour and Social Security [[Clément Sawadogo]], according to Dandjinou.<ref name="in"/> Gunfire reportedly subsided after an hour of the counter-attack, while bodies were seen outside the hotel.<ref name="Wesh">{{cite web|url=http://www.wesh.com/national-news/gunmen-attack-hotel-in-burkina-faso-capital/37459956|title=Burkina Faso security forces attack hostage-takers at hotel|author=Pierre Meilhan, Basidou Kinda and Ralph Ellis|date=15 January 2016|work=WESH|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=29 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129195921/http://www.wesh.com/national-news/gunmen-attack-hotel-in-burkina-faso-capital/37459956|url-status=live}}</ref> The Splendid Hotel siege ended in the morning<ref name="ib"/> with the release of 176 hostages, according to Compoare,<ref name="bbc16"/> almost half of whom were injured in the process.<ref name="tele"/> A group of U.S. and French soldiers came to the site, while a [[curfew]] was instated from 23:00 to 06:00.<ref name="CNN"/> An unnamed [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Defence Department]] official said that France had requested its intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support in the city and that at least one military member in the country was giving "advice and assistance" to French forces at the hotel.<ref name="et" /> Dozens of the French forces came in from neighbouring Mali.<ref name="abc"/> French medical teams were sent to provide support, while forensic officers were also sent to the city.<ref name="bbc16"/> === YIBI hotel === Following the end of the siege at the Splendid Hotel, the Yibi hotel, located next to Cappuccino,<ref name="tele"/> was under attack, according to Interior Minister<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/world/al-qaeda-attack-on-burkina-hotel-kills-20-at-least-15-persons-wounded-1190497.html|title=Burkina Faso: At least 20 dead, 126 people rescued as siege at first hotel ends|work=IBNLive|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=19 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119140132/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/world/al-qaeda-attack-on-burkina-hotel-kills-20-at-least-15-persons-wounded-1190497.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Simon Compaoré]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/504695/burkina-faso-president-takes-defence-portfolio-in-new-cabine.html|title=Burkina Faso president takes defence portfolio in new cabinet|work=Modern Ghana|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126132034/https://www.modernghana.com/news/504695/burkina-faso-president-takes-defence-portfolio-in-new-cabine.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It followed him saying that nearby hotels were being checked to make sure attackers were not hiding there.<ref name="abc">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/10-bodies-found-burkina-faso-cafe-al-qaida-36328723|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116192223/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/10-bodies-found-burkina-faso-cafe-al-qaida-36328723|archivedate=2016-01-16|title=Burkina Faso Hotel Seizure Ends; 4 Jihadis, 23 Others Dead|author=ABC News|work=ABC News|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> At about 07:30, government forces entered the hotel on foot, while sharp shooters were reportedly on the roofs of nearby buildings. Radio Omega reported that a fourth attacker had been killed after seeking refuge at the hotel.<ref name="tele">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/burkinafaso/12103065/Burkina-Faso-attacks-Al-Qaeda-Islamic-Maghreb-Hotel-Splendid-Ouagadougou-live.html|title=Burkina Faso attacks: Four Al-Qaeda terrorists – 'including two women' – killed after special forces free 126 hostages in hotel siege – live|date=16 January 2016|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116104159/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/burkinafaso/12103065/Burkina-Faso-attacks-Al-Qaeda-Islamic-Maghreb-Hotel-Splendid-Ouagadougou-live.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. 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