Gunmen open fire on hotel used as UN military training camp
GUNMEN have opened fire at a hotel used as an EU military training base in Mali's capital of Bamako.
The gunman opened fire on the Azalai Nord Sud Hotel
Heavy gun fire and explosions have been heard at the Azalai Nord Sud Hotel, which serves as headquarters for the mission of nearly 600 EU military personnel deployed to Mali to train its security forces.
The attackers tried to force through the entry to the hotel in Africa and the guards posed in front of the entrance opened fire.
One attacker was killed as the gunfire continued for "several minutes".
A Malian Defence Ministry spokesman confirmed that shots had been fired at the hotel.
The attackers gained entry and opened fire
Colonel Diarran Kone said: "The security forces arrived on the scene a half hour ago. I don't have more information than that for the moment."
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
There were no casualties among staff during the raid.
The EU mission posted on Twitter: "No EUTM-Mali personnel has been hurt."
The hotel which serves as headquarters for the mission of nearly 600 EU military personnel were deployed to Mali to train its security forces.
The news comes just months after dozens of people were killed in an attack in November on Bamako's Radisson Blu hotel claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
The jihadis also targeted a beach resort town in Ivory Coast earlier this month, killing 19 people.
EUTM-MALI HQ has been attacked. No EUTM-Mali personnel has been hurt or injured during the attack. EUTM-Mali is at the securing the area.
— eutmmali (@eutmmali1) March 21, 2016