18 bodies found after jihadists attack Malian hotel

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Islamic extremists armed with guns and grenades stormed the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Friday morning, and security forces swarmed in to free guests floor by floor. As evening fell, officials said no more hostages were being held and that 18 bodies had been found.

Special operations forces from America and France assisted Malian troops in the swift response.

An extremist group led by former al-Qaida commander Moktar Belmoktar claimed responsibility for the hotel siege in the former French colony, which many in France saw as a new assault on their country's interests a week after the Paris attacks.

As people ran for their lives near the luxury hotel along a dirt road, the soldiers in full combat gear pointed the way to safety, sometimes escorting civilians with a protective arm around their shoulders.

Within hours, local TV images showed heavily armed troops in what appeared to be a lobby area, apparently led by a white officer. Malian state TV reported that 80 people have been freed.

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The Gayly - 11/20/2015 @ 12:42 p.m. CST