Atleats 16 people have beeen killed in an attack carried out by six militia near three hotels in Ivory Coast on Sunday, the government said.
The sixteen also included four Europeans and two soldiers who were killed in Grand Bassam when gunmen opened fire in the popular tourist destination, President Alassane Ouattara said. The six attackers were also killed, and "the situation is under control," he added.Twenty-two others, including three special forces members,sustained injuries.
Al Qaeda group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, this is according to the global security firm Flashpoint Intelligence.The attackers, who split into two groups, continued with the attack for more than three hours before special police force dealing with terror arrrived.
A statement from French President François Hollande's office said that one French national was among those killed. The president's office condemned the attack and said, "We'll pursue and intensify our cooperation with our partners in the fight against terrorism."