Eighteen killed in Burkina Faso attack

Gunmen have killed 18 people and wounded several others in a “terrorist attack” at a restaurant in the centre of Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, according to the government.

Witnesses said three gunmen opened fire on customers seated outside the Aziz Istanbul cafe and adjacent Hotel Bravia shortly after 9pm on Sunday.

Gunfire heard in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou — witnesses pic.twitter.com/rAwy5AbwqE (via GraphiqueDBF</a> )</p>— Gregor Peter (L0gg0l) 13 August 2017

Minister of Communication Remis Dandjinou confirmed on Monday that the attack was over, with the two assailants also killed by security forces, who are carrying out checks on neighbouring buildings.

“This is a terrorist attack,” Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou told a news conference on Monday.

He said the toll was provisional because the security operation was still underway.

A government statement said the nationalities of the victim are not yet known, although a hospital in Ouagadougou said one of those killed was Turkish.

#UPDATE: At least 17 people were killed in restaurant attack in Burkina Faso’s capital #Ouagadougoupic.twitter.com/mfO6a5806O

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) 14 August 2017

There are fears that the shooting is a repeat of a similar incident last year when a jihadists killed 30 people at a nearby cafe.

It is believed the attackers are linked to one of the al-Qaeda affiliates active in the area.