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Gunmen stormed the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali Friday (Nov. 20) morning killing at least three and holding some 170 hostages. The group taking responsibility for the attack is said to be linked to Al Qaeda.

Two Malians were confirmed dead, and a member of Belgium’s parliament. Special forces were able to free all of the remaining hostages, reports the BBC. Six U.S. Citizens were among the rescued which included over 100 guests and more than a dozen hotel employees.

The trio of gunman were strapped with AK-47s  as they hit the U.S.-owned hotel at around 7 a.m. A hotel receptionist says he was able to escape after a gunman shot in his direction approximately 10 times.

U.S. military personal “assisted first responders in moving civilians into secure locations,” while Mali forces worked to clear the hotel of hostages. At least six were reported injured.

Mali, a former French colony, is no stranger to battling Islamic extremism. In 2013, thousands of French troops were deployed to the West African Country to assist Mali soldiers in fighting off Islamic insurgence.

See more in the video below.

Photo: screenshot