Around 10 jihadists attacked a Radisson Blu hotel in the country’s capital, Bamako and took 170 people hostage. Supporters of al Qaeda-affliated group, Al-Mourabittoun have now claimed responsibility for the attack. The African jihadist group made up mostly of Arabs and Tuaregs, posted a message on Twitter saying they were behind the siege. Meanwhile, 18 bodies were recovered from the hotel, a foreign security source told AFP. A Belgian died during attempts to free hostages.