15 August,2017 07:53 AM IST | Ouagadougou | Agencies
Attack began on Sunday night at Turkish restaurant; two assailants killed, no clarity on total number of gunmen
Burkinabe police patrol in Ouagadougou, following the deadly attack. Pic/AFP
Security forces in Burkina Faso's capital ended an assault yesterday against suspected jihadists who opened fire on a restaurant in a "terrorist attack" that left at least 18 people dead, the government said.
The attack that began Sunday night in a Turkish restaurant popular with foreigners also left a dozen people injured, while two assailants were later killed, Communications Minister Remis Dandjinou said. It was not clear how many gunmen were involved.
"The operation has ended" but searches are continuing in the Ouagadougou neighbourhood around the restaurant, said Dandjinou. "According to witnesses, at least two assailants arrived on a motorcycle around 9 pm armed with Kalashnikovs and opened fire on the Istanbul restaurant," said a police officer on the condition of anonymity.
A waiter in the restaurant said he saw "three men arrive on a 4X4 vehicle around 9.30 pm, get off the vehicle and open fire on customers seated on the terrace". Shooting ended around 5 am local time. Dandjinou said the 18 victims were of different nationalities, both Burkinabes and foreigners. Turkey said one of its citizens was among the dead.
