2016 Ouagadougou attacks

{{Short description|Islamic terrorist attack in Burkina Faso}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title            = 2016 Ouagadougou Islamic terrorist attacks
| image            = Splendidhotel.JPG
| caption          = The Splendid Hotel in 2008
| map              = {{Location map|Burkina Faso#Africa|lat_deg = 12.3613382|lon_deg = -1.5202486|label  = The Splendid Hotel| border = none | float = center|caption = }}
| location         = [[Ouagadougou]], [[Burkina Faso]]
| coordinates      = {{Coord|12|21|40|N|1|31|05|W|type:event_region:BF-KAD|display=inline,title}}
| target           = Cappuccino restaurant, Splendid Hotel and Yibi hotel with Westerners <small>(''Alleged'')</small>
| motive           = [[Islamic terrorism]]
| partof           = the [[Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso]], [[Islamist insurgency in the Sahel]] and [[Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)]]
| date             = 15–16 January 2016
| time             = 19:30 – ~next morning
| timezone         = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| type             = [[Mass shooting]], [[arson]], [[hostage-taking]], [[siege]]s, [[counter-terrorism|counter-attack]]
| fatalities       = 34 (including four attackers)<ref name="BNO2016"/><ref name="temps"/><ref name="bbc16">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35332792|title=Foreigners killed at Burkina Faso luxury hotel|date=16 January 2016|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611115742/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35332792|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ib">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/burkina-faso-al-qaeda-militants-attack-hotel-kill-20-663403|title=Burkina Faso: Hotel siege ends; 22 killed, 126 people rescued|date=16 January 2016|work=International Business Times, India Edition|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117003341/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/burkina-faso-al-qaeda-militants-attack-hotel-kill-20-663403|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dead">{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/victims-hostages-burkina-hotel-attack-planning-counter-assult-000632829.html|title=At least 20 dead in Burkina Faso hotel attack: hospital chief|date=16 January 2016|publisher=Yahoo! News|agency=AFP|access-date=14 January 2017|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305045020/http://news.yahoo.com/victims-hostages-burkina-hotel-attack-planning-counter-assult-000632829.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| injuries         = 56+<ref name="bbc16"/><ref name="ht">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world/al-qaeda-attack-on-burkina-faso-hotel-kills-20-counter-ops-still-on/story-pa47lMvbpZCz6f2tLm7fSI.html|title=Al Qaeda attack on Burkina Faso hotel kills 20; counter ops still on|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=16 January 2016|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116053155/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world/al-qaeda-attack-on-burkina-faso-hotel-kills-20-counter-ops-still-on/story-pa47lMvbpZCz6f2tLm7fSI.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Franceinfo">{{cite news|url=http://www.franceinfo.fr/actu/monde/article/coups-de-feu-et-detonations-dans-le-centre-de-ouagadougou-758891|title=Coups de feu et détonations dans le centre de Ouagadougou : "une attaque terroriste" selon l'ambassadeur de France|date=16 January 2016|publisher=[[France Info]]|language=fr|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116081413/http://www.franceinfo.fr/actu/monde/article/coups-de-feu-et-detonations-dans-le-centre-de-ouagadougou-758891|url-status=live}}</ref> (including some hostages during the rescue)<ref name="tele"/>
| perpetrators     = [[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb]]<br />[[Al-Mourabitoun (militant group)|Al-Mourabitoun]]
| victims          = 176 hostages (rescued)
| weapons          = 
| numparts         = 6–7<br /><small>(4 dead, 2–3 on the run)</small>
}}
{{Campaignbox Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso}}
{{Campaignbox Algeria 2002-present}}
On 15 January 2016, gunmen armed with heavy weapons attacked the Cappuccino restaurant and the '''Splendid Hotel''' in the heart of [[Ouagadougou]], the capital of [[Burkina Faso]]. The number of fatalities reached 30,<ref name="BNO2016"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35330169|title=Ouagadougou blasts: Burkina Faso capital hit by gunfire|work=BBC News|date=15 January 2016|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115221130/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35330169|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="France24">{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20160115-shots-explosions-heard-hotel-burkina-faso-capital-ouagadougou|title=Gunmen attack hotel, take hostages in Burkina Faso capital|date=15 January 2015|access-date=15 January 2016|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> while at least 56 were wounded; a total of 176 hostages were released<ref name="bbc16"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Burkina Faso: Security forces raid besieged hotel, free hostages|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/16/africa/burkina-faso-hotel-terrorist-attack/index.html|website=CNN|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116051035/http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/16/africa/burkina-faso-hotel-terrorist-attack/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> after a government counter-attack into the next morning as the siege ended. Three perpetrators were also killed.<ref name="ib"/> The nearby YIBI hotel was then under siege, where another attacker was killed. Notably, former Swiss MPs [[Jean-Noël Rey]] and [[Georgie Lamon]] were killed. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by [[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb]] (AQIM) and [[Al-Mourabitoun (militant group)|Al-Mourabitoun]].

== Background ==
Following the [[Libyan Civil War (2011)|Libyan Civil War]], neighboring Mali was wracked by instability, including [[Islamist]] attacks, in the [[Northern Mali conflict]]. Neighboring countries also experienced a [[Boko Haram]] insurgency.

In Burkina Faso, the [[2014 Burkinabé uprising]] ousted President [[Blaise Compaoré]], while the consequent [[2015 Burkinabe coup d'état]], in relation to the electoral process, was eventually put down under pressure from the [[African Union]]. The [[2015 Burkinabé general election|November 2015 general election]] resulted in [[Roch Marc Christian Kaboré]] becoming [[president of Burkina Faso]]. Burkina Faso is part of the [[G5 Sahel]] countries formed to counter insurgent attacks.<ref name="ht"/> The [[Splendid Hotel]] was sometimes used by French troops who were part of the Chad-based [[Operation Barkhane]].<ref name="et">{{Cite web |title=At least 20 dead in Burkina Faso hotel attack |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/et-tv/at-least-20-dead-in-burkina-faso-hotel-attack/videoshow/50602270.cms |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=The Economic Times |language=en |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422132654/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/et-tv/at-least-20-dead-in-burkina-faso-hotel-attack/videoshow/50602270.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The United States had approximately 75 military personnel in the country, including 15 assigned to the embassy and about 60 who provide "security assistance" – training, advising and assisting.<ref name="wdsu"/>

Earlier in the day, at about 14:00 local time, approximately 20 "heavily-armed unidentified individuals" attacked [[gendarmerie]] in the village of Tin Abao, near the border with Mali, according to the army.<ref name="ht"/> The Security Ministry's Spokeswoman Abi Ouattara also announced that an Austrian couple were kidnapped in the night in northern Burkina Faso near the border with Mali in the [[Baraboulé Department|Baraboulé]] area's<ref name="tele"/> village of Djibo.<ref name="cnn"/> Austrian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Thomas Schnoell added that more information was not known but they were "looking into the matter as quickly as possible."<ref name="tele"/> However, the couple were later said to be Australian.<ref name="bbc16"/>

== 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>

==Casualties== 
{| class="wikitable centre sortable"
|+ Deaths by nationality
!Country
!Number
!Note
|-
| {{flagu|Burkina Faso}}
! 10
!<ref name="yahoo.com">{{cite web|url=https://fr.news.yahoo.com/attaque-jihadiste-au-burkina-ouagadougou-choc-craint-lavenir-131542465.html|title=Attaque jihadiste au Burkina: Ouagadougou sous le choc craint pour l'avenir|access-date=14 August 2017|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814145436/https://fr.news.yahoo.com/attaque-jihadiste-au-burkina-ouagadougou-choc-craint-lavenir-131542465.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagu|Canada}}
! 6
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|-
| {{flagu|Ukraine}}
! 4
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|-
| {{flagu|France}}
! 2
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|-
| {{flagu|Switzerland}}
! 2
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|-
| {{flagu|Italy}}
! 1
!<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.it/20160118/nine-year-old-italian-boy-killed-among|title=Nine-year-old Italian boy killed in Burkina Faso attack|date=18 January 2016|access-date=14 August 2017|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814174211/https://www.thelocal.it/20160118/nine-year-old-italian-boy-killed-among|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagu|Portugal}}
! 1
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|-
| {{flagu|France}}/{{flagu|Morocco}}
! 1
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|-
| {{flagu|United States}}
! 1
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|-
| {{flagu|Netherlands}}
! 1
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|-
| {{flagu|Libya}}
! 1
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|-	
|- class="sortbottom"
|'''Total'''
! 30
!<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
|}

The gunmen were initially reported to have killed 20 people,<ref name="dead"/> but this number was later revised upward to a total of 30 people<ref name="BNO2016"/> with one death in the second hotel; at least 56 other people were injured.<ref name="bbc16"/> Three militants were also killed at the first hotel<ref name="ib"/> and one in the second hotel.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dearden|first1=Lizzie|title=Burkina Faso attack: Fourth attacker killed at second hotel|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/burkina-faso-attack-live-assault-reported-at-second-hotel-after-troops-end-al-qaeda-hostage-crisis-a6815571.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/burkina-faso-attack-live-assault-reported-at-second-hotel-after-troops-end-al-qaeda-hostage-crisis-a6815571.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=18 January 2016|work=The Independent|date=16 January 2016|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Ten bodies were found at the Cappuccino across the street from the hotel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article55037485.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117003745/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article55037485.html|archivedate=2016-01-17|title=Burkina Faso hotel seizure ends; 4 jihadis, 23 others dead|work=miamiherald|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> by firefighters.<ref name="tele"/> One of the hostages was an Indian citizen,<ref name="ib"/> while at least one of the other wounded was French<ref name="bbc16"/> and another was from the U.S.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35333617|title=Burkina Faso hotel siege: 'Like a scene out of a movie'|work=BBC News|date=16 January 2016|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=24 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124013703/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35333617|url-status=live}}</ref>

Persons of 18 nationalities were initially reported as being among the dead.<ref name="tele"/> These included: eight locals from Burkina Faso,<ref name="bbc16"/> six Canadians, four of whom were members of the same family from [[Lac-Beauport, Quebec]], another family friend and a member of their visiting party,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2016/01/16/des-canadiens-parmi-les-victimes-de-lattaque-jihadiste-a-ouagadougou|title=Quatre membres d'une famille de Lac-Beauport périssent|language=French|date=17 January 2016|publisher=TVA News|access-date=18 January 2016|archive-date=27 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127034008/http://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2016/01/16/des-canadiens-parmi-les-victimes-de-lattaque-jihadiste-a-ouagadougou|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cbc17">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/burkina-faso-quebecers-killed-1.3407614|title=Burkina Faso attacks: 6 Quebecers killed were on humanitarian trip|date=17 January 2016|publisher=CBC|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117134532/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/burkina-faso-quebecers-killed-1.3407614|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cbc16">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/burkina-faso-hotel-attack-1.3407326|title=Burkina Faso hotel attack leaves 6 Canadians dead, Trudeau says|date=16 January 2016|publisher=CBC|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116233813/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/burkina-faso-hotel-attack-1.3407326|url-status=live}}</ref> four Ukrainians of the same family,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/radio-free-europeradio-liberty-four-ukrainians-among-dead-in-burkina-faso-attack-406082.html|title=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Four Ukrainians among dead in Burkina Faso attack|date=17 January 2016|publisher=KyivPost|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117125402/http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/radio-free-europeradio-liberty-four-ukrainians-among-dead-in-burkina-faso-attack-406082.html|url-status=live}}</ref> two each from Switzerland<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/news/news-fdfa.html/content/eda/en/meta/news/2016/1/16/60328|title=Burkina Faso: Zwei Schweizer unter den Opfern|language=German|publisher=Federal Department of Foreign Affairs|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=25 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125230126/https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/news/news-fdfa.html/content/eda/en/meta/news/2016/1/16/60328|url-status=live}}</ref> and France,<ref name="bbc16"/> and one each from Portugal,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dn.pt/mundo/interior/portugues-entre-os-mortos-no-atentado-a-hotel-no-burkina-faso-4984144.html|title=Português morto no atentado a hotel no Burkina Faso|date=17 January 2016|work=Diario de Noticias|language=Portuguese|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214132314/https://www.dn.pt/mundo/interior/portugues-entre-os-mortos-no-atentado-a-hotel-no-burkina-faso-4984144.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the Netherlands, Italy, Libya and the United States.<ref name="bbc16"/> The latter was working for the Christian group [[Sheltering Wings]].<ref name="tmps2">{{cite news|title=L'ancien patron de La Poste suisse fait partie des 29 victimes de la tuerie de Ouagadougou|url=http://www.letemps.ch/monde/2016/01/16/ancien-patron-poste-suisse-partie-29-victimes-tuerie-ouagadougou|access-date=16 January 2016|work=[[Le Temps]]|language=French|date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116233811/https://www.letemps.ch/monde/terrorisme-aveugle-frappe-ouagadougou|url-status=live}}</ref> A dual French-Moroccan victim, who was shot multiple times, died in an Ouagadougou hospital three days later.<ref name="BNO2016">{{cite news |url=http://bnonews.com/news/index.php/news/id3353 |title=French-Moroccan photographer Leila Alaoui dies after Burkina Faso attacks |date=18 January 2016 |work=[[BNO News]] |access-date=19 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120210234/http://bnonews.com/news/index.php/news/id3353 |archive-date=20 January 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> She was [[Leila Alaoui]], a photographer on assignment for [[Amnesty International]].<ref>{{Cite news|title = Leila Alaoui, Photographer Wounded in Burkina Faso Siege, Dies at 33|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/world/africa/leila-alaoui-photographer-ouagadougou-attacks-dies.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 19 January 2016|access-date = 19 January 2016|issn = 0362-4331|first = Dan|last = Bilefsky|archive-date = 20 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160120140251/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/world/africa/leila-alaoui-photographer-ouagadougou-attacks-dies.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

The two Swiss dead were [[Georgie Lamon]], a former [[Cantons of Switzerland|cantonal]] member of parliament,<ref>{{cite news|title=Blutiger Terror erreicht Burkina Faso: Schweizer bei Angriff auf Luxushotel getötet|url=http://www.nzz.ch/international/afrika/zwei-schweizer-sterben-bei-angriff-auf-luxushotel-1.18678249|access-date=16 January 2016|work=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]]|language=German|date=16 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117005905/http://www.nzz.ch/international/afrika/zwei-schweizer-sterben-bei-angriff-auf-luxushotel-1.18678249|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Jean-Noël Rey]], a former Swiss member of parliament and head of the [[Postal Telegraph and Telephone (Switzerland)|Swiss post and telecommunications service]]. Both had been visiting a school created by an association to which they belonged.<ref name="temps">{{cite news|title=L'ancien patron de La Poste suisse fait partie des 29 victimes de la tuerie de Ouagadougou|url=http://www.letemps.ch/monde/2016/01/16/terrorisme-aveugle-frappe-ouagadougou|access-date=18 January 2016|work=Le Temps|language=French|date=16 January 2016|archive-date=20 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120001739/http://www.letemps.ch/monde/2016/01/16/terrorisme-aveugle-frappe-ouagadougou|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tmps2"/>

== Responsibility ==
[[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb]], an Islamist militant organization whose ultimate goal is to overthrow the Algerian government and create an Islamic State in its place,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-04-02 |title=The GSPC: Newest Franchise in al-Qaida's Global Jihad |url=https://ctc.usma.edu/the-gspc-newest-franchise-in-al-qaidas-global-jihad/ |access-date=2021-03-18 |website=Combating Terrorism Center at West Point |language=en-US |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228104229/https://ctc.usma.edu/the-gspc-newest-franchise-in-al-qaidas-global-jihad/ |url-status=live }}</ref> claimed responsibility for the attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/688133363111079937|publisher=Reuters|date=16 January 2016|title=Al Qaeda of Islamic Maghreb says it is responsible for Burkina Faso hotel attack: SITE Intelligence Group|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116233813/https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/688133363111079937|url-status=live}}</ref> [[SITE Intelligence Group]] translated a document that outlined the reason for the attack "revenge against France and the disbelieving West" and that the militants were part of the Mali-based [[Al-Mourabitoun (militant group)|Al-Mourabitoun]] group.<ref name="tele"/> It also quoted a statement from the group as reading: "[The] [[mujahideen]] brothers...broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion."<ref name="ht"/> The group also "asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders." Eyewitnesses said the perpetrators were "light-skinned" and spoke a language not native to the country.<ref name="wdsu"/> Later, two of the attackers were found to be black and one Arab.<ref name="tele"/> Of the initially reported six gunmen,<ref name="CNN"/> at least two of the four perpetrators found were women, according to an announcement by Kaboré.<ref name="tele"/> Compoare added that the bodies of three "very young" attackers were found<ref name="bbc16"/> and that they were no older than 26 years old.<ref name="temps"/> It was reported on 22 January that three of the six attackers were still on the run.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/22/africa/burkina-faso-attackers-on-the-run/index.html|title=Burkina Faso hotel siege: 3 attackers on the run days later|first=Faith|last=Karimi|date=22 January 2016|work=CNN|access-date=22 January 2016|archive-date=22 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122063149/http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/22/africa/burkina-faso-attackers-on-the-run/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
===Domestic===
President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré presided over an emergency cabinet meeting and then, along with Prime Minister [[Paul Kaba Thieba]] arrived at the attack scene at about lunchtime. Kaboré said it was "a barbaric attack that we must fight."<ref name="tele"/> [[National mourning]] was observed for 72 hours.<ref name="bbc16"/>

===International===
The French embassy announced that a "terrorist attack" was underway and urged its citizens to avoid the area.<ref name="ht"/> It added that it had no idea if there were any French citizens inside the hotel. The U.S. embassy issued a statement on [[Twitter]] indicating that while it was aware of the situation, there was no indication of any citizens inside the hotel and also urged its citizens to avoid the downtown area of Ouagadougou.<ref name="wdsu"/> The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a similar advisory.<ref name="bbc16"/> French President [[François Hollande]] issued a statement early in the morning of 16 January that read: "The President of the Republic expresses his total support for President Kaboré and for the people of Burkina Faso in the face of this odious and cowardly attack which has struck Ouagadougou." Prime Minister [[Manuel Valls]] added on Twitter: "By striking Burkina Faso, terrorists have again struck the world. Together we will respond and we will overcome. #JeSuisOuaga"<ref name="tele"/> President of the National Assembly of Ivory Coast [[Guillaume Soro]] expressed his "compassion and solidarity" to the "government and people."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SOROKGUILLAUME/status/688323003978006529|title=Guillaume K. Soro on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116233815/https://twitter.com/SOROKGUILLAUME/status/688323003978006529|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)|Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] condemned the attacks.{{cn|date=November 2020}} In announcing the deaths of his fellow citizens, Canadian Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] condemned "these senseless acts of violence on innocent civilians."<ref name="bbc16"/> Reporting that Ukrainians were killed, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine [[Pavlo Klimkin]] stated that he was "shocked by the attack" that was "a tragedy for all of us..."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PavloKlimkin/status/688464512081616898|title=Pavlo Klimkin on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> U.S. State Department Spokesman [[John Kirby (admiral)|John Kirby]] later offered condolences on the death of his fellow citizen and added that his family "are with all those affected by this brutality." The U.S. embassy called it a "senseless assault on innocent people."<ref name="cnn"/> Regional neighbor Algeria's Foreign Minister [[Ramtane Lamamra]] also condemned the attacks and expressed its solidarity with the families of the victims, the government and the Burkinabé people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioalgerie.dz/news/fr/article/20160116/64667.html|title=L'Algérie condamne avec "la plus grande vigueur" les attaques terroristes à Ouagadougou|work=Radio Algeria|language=French|date=16 January 2016|access-date=18 January 2016|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221190301/http://www.radioalgerie.dz/news/fr/article/20160116/64667.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ghana's President [[John Mahama]] appointed his former chief of staff, [[Prosper Douglas Bani]], as interior minister to reinforce domestic security following the attacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/World/20160119/2773428.html|title=Ghana's president appoints new interior minister|work=Web India News|date=19 January 2016|access-date=21 January 2016|archive-date=27 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127055029/http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/World/20160119/2773428.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[2008 Mumbai attacks]]
* [[2015 Corinthia Hotel attack]]
* [[2015 Bamako hotel attack]]
* [[Garissa University College attack]]
* [[List of Islamist terrorist attacks]]
* [[List of terrorist incidents, January–June 2016]]
* [[Westgate shopping mall attack]]
* [[2016 Bamako attack]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Ouagadougou}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ouagadougou attacks}}
[[Category:2016 disasters in Burkina Faso]]
[[Category:2016 in Burkina Faso]] 
[[Category:2016 murders in Burkina Faso]] 
[[Category:21st century in Ouagadougou]]
[[Category:Attacks on hotels in Africa]]
[[Category:Attacks on tourists]]
[[Category:Hostage taking]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in Burkina Faso]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2016]]
[[Category:January 2016 crimes in Africa]]
[[Category:January 2016 events in Africa]]
[[Category:Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso]]
[[Category:Man-made disasters in Burkina Faso]]
[[Category:Mass murder in 2016]]
[[Category:Mass shootings in Africa]]
[[Category:Racially motivated violence against white people in Africa]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents attributed to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Burkina Faso in 2016]]