Some freed if they could recite verses from the Koran. Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Fox News is reporting three hostages are dead. This is confirmed by The Washington Post.

The terrorists have released 20 people.

From the Washington Post: “Kassim Traoré, a Malian journalist was in a building about 150 feet from the Radisson, told the New York Times that the gunmen asked hostages to recite a Muslim declaration of faith called the shahada. Those who could were allowed to leave the hotel.”

Early Friday morning, gunman attacked a luxury hotel full of foreigners in Mali’s capital of Bamako, taking 170 people hostage, according to a security source at the hotel. Reuters is reporting the terrorists were shouting Islamic slogans.

The Radisson Blu hotel is located west of the city center and near government ministries and diplomatic offices.

The identity of the gunman is not known.

“The security source said as many as 10 gunmen had stormed the building, firing shots and shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’, or “God is great” in Arabic.”

The Rezidor Group that runs the hotel said there were 140 guests and 30 employees among the hostages.

A live update at TheHindu.com reports that some hostages were freed: “Gunmen free some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Quran — security forces.”

http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/breaking-islamic-terrorists-take-170-hostages-luxury-hotel