Like last week in Paris, an American has been killed in the latest Muslim terrorist attack, this time in Mali, once a French colony. The name of the American who perished in Mali hasn’t been made public as the family of the terrorism victims needs to be notified first. Which is completely understandable. Obama as usual is silent on the latest terrorist attack that killed at least 27 people, including an American. He’s probably doing high fives in the White House.
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A U.S. citizen is among those killed in a terrorist attack on the Radisson Hotel in Bamako, Mali on Friday.
“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.