Al Qaeda-affiliated group claims Mali attack

Al-Mourabitoun, a group affiliated with al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attack in Radisson Blu hotel, Bamako, Malian capital, on Friday.

The group based in northern Mali and made up mostly of Tuaregs and Arabs, posted a message on Twitter saying it was behind the attack.

The claim has not been independently verified.

The gunmen held 170 people, comprising 130 guests and 30 staff of the hotel, hostage until security forces stormed the hotel to set the captives free.

Twelve members of Air France flight crew who were in the building, were extracted safely, according to the French national carrier.

About 27 people were reportedly killed in the incident.

Al-Mourabitoun, formed around two years ago and based in the Sahara Desert, is headed by former al Qaeda fighter Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

Meanwhile, President Francois Hollande of France has offered to help Mali, cautioning his citizens in the country to take precaution.

“I have assured Malian President Ibrahim Keita that France is available to offer the necessary support to the forces of his country,” he said.

“An assault has been launched and we will help ensure with all our means on site that the release of the hostages can be achieved.

“There are tourists and businessmen of many nationalities in the hotel, we have to, once again, keep going and show our solidarity with a country that is a friend, Mali.”