November 20, 2015 – At least 18 people have been confirmed killed and two soldiers wounded when security forces stormed Radisson Blu Hotel, based in Bamako in a show of force to free all 170 hostages held by rebels with strong link to al-Qaeda.
At least 30 of the hostages were said to have escaped from the hotel before security forces stormed the hotel.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen had entered the American hotel shooting and shouting Allahu akar “God is great!” .
Reuters reported that some hostages who were able to recite verses of the Koran were among those set free by the rebels before security forces stormed the hotel.
A combined team of US and French special forces assisted the Malian security forces in the rescue operation.