Gunmen Attack Hotels In Central Mali, Hold Guests Hostage

Gunmen on motorbikes have attacked three hotels in Mali on Friday, holding guests hostage. Soldiers have reportedly surrounded three hotels - the Debo, the Motel and the Flandres - all near each other, trying to fire back at the gunmen.

The BBC has learnt that the hotels which have come under attack have guests staying from South Africa, France and Ukraine. It is understood that all have foreign guests, including from France, South Africa and Ukraine, but it is not clear whether they are inside with the gunmen or have managed to get out.

The attack is so severe that residents are hiding in their homes