Screams, shouts, and bullets echoed as heavily armed gunmen shot aimlessly at crowds of visitors at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali. Occurring shortly after the Paris attacks, the unexpected and terrifying attack in Mali resulted in 21 tragic deaths.

On Friday, November 20, 2015, hundreds of visitors were trapped in the hotel while two to three gunmen restlessly shot anything in sight with deadly AK-47 rifles. During the time of attack, a peace negotiation conference was in process at the hotel, which hosted as many as thirty international delegates from the United Nations. The cause of the attack was believed to be the prevention of peace agreements that would help groups in northern Mali continue combating Islamic extremists.

The attack was clearly initiated by a group of Islamic extremists; more specific analysis reveals that an unidentified al Qaeda-affiliated group may have carried out this attack. However, no specific conclusions regarding the group were able to be made. Although the massacre resulted in twenty-one deaths, the Malian troops as well as UN troops surrounded the hotel for hours and successfully saved many more people from dying.

Sahiba Madan ’18 exclaims, “Just when I thought the Paris attack was scary enough, another devastating attack hit Mali. I feel that world security decreases each time another terrorist attack occurs.”

Indeed, the planned attack resulted in many deaths of important diplomats as well as innocent tourists from around the world; among those who lost their lives in the attack are one American visitor, a Belgian parliamentary administrative counselor, three Chinese nationals, and other important figures.

Three months prior to the attack, another hostage attack occurred in a hotel near Central Mali during the month of August; the attack resulted in twelve deaths. The August attack started with a raid in a military site near the hotel; some media sources suggest that the attack was affiliated with the Macina Liberation Movement. With terrorist hostage attacks closely following one another, Mali officials state that these serious attacks are significant threats to the security of the country and hence are receiving international aid to combat terror.

Zack Santoro ’16 adds, “Although after 9/11, the United States has become more alarmed with terrorists attacks… however, after the Paris and Mali attack, I think the alertness of national security would rise again and should be in order to project our safeties.”

As terrorist attacks continue unexpectedly across the globe, more threats are being made towards various nations; countries such as the U.S. have increased their levels of alertness to counter any possible attacks and ensure citizens’ safety. While the world is suspended with terror, the hope is to one day restore peace and minimize lost lives.