Tourist resort in Malian capital Bamako ‘under attack’
Malian troops and soldiers from France’s Bakhane counter-terrorist force headed to the site on the edge of Bamako, where nearby residents reported hearing shots fired while smoke billowed into the air on Sunday afternoon.
A security ministry official said government troops “have sealed off the area and are in the process of organising operations” against the attackers.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Andrea de Georgio, a freelance journalist, said the resort is located about 10km outside of the city, making it harder fo.r authorities to reach.
“It is very exposed to danger,” he said.
There was no information immediately available on any casualties.
The west African country has been battling armed rebellion for several years, with fighters roaming the north and centre of Mali.
In November 2015, gunmen took guests and staff hostage at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako in a siege that left at least 20 people dead, including 14 foreigners.
The attack was claimed by Al-Qaeda’s North African affiliate Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
A state of emergency has been renewed several times since the Radisson Blu attack, most recently in April when it was extended for six months.
Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
