Updated on November 20 at 3:49 p.m. ET
On Friday, gunmen in Mali killed at least 18 people and took more than 100 guests and staff members hostage at a luxury hotel in the capital city of Bamako.
Here’s what we know so far:
— “The attackers, carrying AK-47s, arrived around 7 a.m. in a vehicle or vehicles with diplomatic plates,” one United Nations spokesman told CNN. It’s still unknown how many attackers were involved or if the gunmen are still inside the hotel.
— Al-Mourabitoun, a terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility, however, the claim could not immediately be verified. Some hostages who were able to prove their Muslim faith were reportedly released.
— Of the confirmed dead, two were said to be Malian nationals while the other was French. In subsequent reports, an official with the Belgian regional parliament was also said to have died. The others have yet to be identified and the death toll may be as high as 27.
A rescue operation involving Malian troops as well as American and French special security forces ended a hostage crisis at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, the capital city of Mali, on Friday. Gunmen killed at least 18 people and took more than 100 guests and staff members hostage.