American killed in Mali hotel attack

A U.S. citizen is among those killed in a terrorist attack on the Radisson Hotel in Bamako, Mali on Friday.

{mosads}”We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” a senior State Department official said in a statement. “We are providing all possible consular assistance. Out of respect for the family, we have no further information at this time.”

Al Mourabitoun, an Islamist militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attack on the hotel Friday morning, according to CNN. The group announced it carried out the attack along with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

At approximately 7 a.m., gunmen stormed the hotel, armed with AK-47s and grenades, shouting “God is great!” in Arabic and firing at guests. At least 27 were killed. 

Dozens were held hostage for hours, with some being released if they were able to recite verses from the Koran. Malian special forces launched a counterattack, killing at least two of the assailants.

Army Col. Mark Cheadle, spokesman for U.S. Africa Command, said at least six American hostages were rescued. 

At the time of the attack, the hotel was hosting a delegation of diplomats working to foster peace in the West African country. Five U.S. Pentagon personnel were at the hotel at the time of the siege, but all have been accounted for, according to a defense official. 

Although Malian forces cleared the hotel of gunmen, one U.S. service member — among the five Americans on location — stepped in to assist first responders with hostage recovery, the official said. 

The five personnel were among 22 Department of Defense personnel on assignment in Bamako at the time. There are no reports that any of the 22 are injured, the official said. 

The White House issued a statement in the afternoon, condemning the attack and pledging help to Mali.

“The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s terrorist attack on the many Malian and international guests and employees of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako,” said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price.

“The United States stands with the people of Mali and will remain a steadfast partner to the Government of Mali and others in the region fighting the terrorist groups that seek to undermine Mali’s efforts to build a durable peace following the crisis in 2012 and 2013,” Price added.

“We are prepared to assist the Malian government in the coming days as it investigates this tragic terrorist attack.” 

The Brussels-based Rezidor Hotel Group, which operates the Radisson, said early Friday that the attackers had initially taken 140 guests and 30 employees hostage. 

The Mali attack comes one week after the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria launched attacks across Paris that killed at least 129 and wounded hundreds more. 

Army Gen. David Rodriguez, commander of U.S. Africa Command, said the attacks did not appear linked, and that it was likely an al Qaeda-affiliated group responsible for the violence in Mali.