Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Soldiers tackled gunmen at the French embassy

Gunmen have launched twin attacks in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, against the French embassy and army headquarters.

Eight security personnel and eight attackers were killed in the fighting while 80 people including civilians, were wounded, officials say.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian said there was no doubt it was an act of terrorism.

It is was not immediately clear who had carried out the attack.

Burkina Faso Security Minister Clement Sawadogo said there had also been a suicide car bomb attack at the military HQ that may have intended to target a regional anti-terrorism meeting.

A room was destroyed by the blast, he said, but the meeting had been moved to another location.

Burkina Faso police said in a statement that units had fanned out across the city to increase security and urged people to remain vigilant.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Men were seen escaping from the military HQ after it came under attack

Concentrating minds?

Analysis by Lamine Konkobo, BBC Afrique

There have been rumours of an attack in Burkina Faso for some time, and these even prompted a recent security forces reshuffle.

But this is far bigger than what most people had expected. An attack on the military headquarters strikes at the heart of Burkina Faso's security establishment, while the French embassy is normally one of the safest places in the capital.

Since Emmanuel Macron came to power, France has been trying to mobilise its former colonies in West Africa, and the United Nations, to tackle the Islamist militant groups which operate in the Sahel region south of the Sahara. But, so far, progress has been slow.

This attack may concentrate some people's minds.

What happened?

Early pictures from the scene showed a cloud of black smoke rising into the sky. Witnesses reported seeing armed men getting out of a car and opening fire before heading towards the embassy.

Ouagadougou Mayor Armand Béouindé told France's Le Monde newspaper that the attackers had shot at the town hall and his office windows were shattered. "Apparently, it is a jihadist attack," he said, but gave no further details.

One witness, Omar Zombre, told local TV: "We saw four people who were trying to enter the embassy on the east side. They were in civilian attire, with a kind of vest and backpacks with Kalashnikovs which were clearly visible.

"So they tried, but they didn't manage it and so they tried to enter from the west side. We saw that they had set a car on fire. When we went up [to the roof] we heard gunshots from an automatic weapon, [it was] very intense."

Why is France involved?

The country maintains strong ties with its former colony.

It appears there were no French casualties as a result of Friday's attack, Mr Le Drian said

"Burkina Faso was the victim of an attack by terrorist groups," he added.

"It targeted both the institutions of Burkina Faso - because the Burkinabe army headquarters were targeted - and it also targeted France, which is Burkina Faso's ally in its fight against terrorism."

French President Emmanuel Macron urged French nationals in the country to follow the embassy's advice and stay away from troubled areas.

French forces based in the country were also deployed.

Who was behind previous attacks?

This is the third major attack Ouagadougou has seen in the past two years. Islamist militants said they had carried out the other two.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb said it was behind an attack on a restaurant and hotel in Ouagadougou in January 2016 that killed 30 people.

France intervened to stop that group taking control of neighbouring Mali in 2013.

But there are numerous other Islamist groups based in the region and militants have carried out attacks in several major West African cities in the past few years.

Burkina Faso also saw a failed coup in 2015. The trial for dozens of the alleged perpetrators began earlier this week but was suspended after defence lawyers walked out in protest against the military court.</s>PARIS - France's embassy in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, said on Friday it was under attack and urged its citizens to stay where they were.



"Attack under way at the French Embassy and French Institute. Stay hidden where you are," the embassy said in a statement posted on its Facebook site.



A French official in Paris confirmed that an assault against the embassy was under way, as well as an attack on the Burkina Faso army headquarters.</s>OUAGADOUGOU — Gunmen attacked the army’s headquarters in the capital of Burkina Faso on Friday as well as the downtown area and France’s embassy, and the French ambassador said an explosion in the city was a terrorist attack.

It was not clear who was behind the violence, but Burkina Faso and other West African countries have been targeted by jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State in the past few years.

A local news station showed pictures of black smoke coming from a building in central Ouagadougou, and a Reuters correspondent found that most people had fled the streets.

“Attack under way at the French Embassy and French Institute. Stay hidden where you are,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its Facebook site.

A French official in Paris confirmed that an assault against the embassy was under way, as well as against the Burkina Faso army headquarters.

An explosion rocked the army headquarters and then gunfire rang out in the vicinity. A witness said masked gunmen with backpacks had attacked the army headquarters shortly before the explosion.

Islamist militants have gained a stronger foothold in Africa’s vast Sahel region in the last few years, launching attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Niger.

Suspected jihadists killed at least 18 people last August during a raid on a restaurant in Ouagadougou, and militants have targeted Burkinabe security forces along its remote northern border region with Mali.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for an attack on a restaurant and hotel in Ouagadougou in January 2016 in which 30 people were killed.

Five countries launched a new task force last year to tackle Islamist militants in the region, to which international donors have committed half a billion dollars.

Jean-Marc Châtaigner, France’s ambassador to West Africa’s Sahel region, tweeted: “Terrorist attack this morning in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: solidarity with colleagues and Burkinabe friends.” He urged people to avoid the city center.

After the first big blast, the sounds of a series of smaller explosions and exchanges of gunfire came from the direction of the headquarters. They ceased by around noon.</s>Gunmen attacked the army’s headquarters in the capital of Burkina Faso on Friday as well as the downtown area and France’s embassy, and the French ambassador said an explosion in the city was a terrorist attack. It was not clear who was behind the violence but Burkina Faso and other West African countries have been targeted by jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State in the past few years.

A local news station showed pictures of black smoke coming from a building in central Ouagadougou and a Reuters correspondent found that most people had fled the streets. “Attack underway at the French Embassy and French Institute. Stay hidden where you are,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its Facebook site. A French official in Paris confirmed that an assault against the embassy was underway, as well as against the Burkina Faso army headquarters.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron is being kept up to date with events in the Burkina Faso capital after gunmen launched an attack in the centre of the city in the vicinity of the French Embassy, the Elysee Palace said on Friday.

An explosion rocked the army headquarters and then gunfire rang out in the vicinity. A witness said masked gunmen with backpacks had attacked the army headquarters shortly before the explosion. Islamist militants have gained a stronger foothold in Africa’s vast Sahel region in the last few years, launching attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Niger.

Suspected jihadists killed at least 18 people last August during a raid on a restaurant in Ouagadougou, and militants have targeted Burkinabe security forces along its remote northern border region with Mali. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for an attack on a restaurant and hotel in Ouagadougou in January 2016 in which 30 people were killed.

Five countries launched a new taskforce last year to tackle Islamist militants in the region, to which international donors have committed half a billion dollars. Jean-Marc Châtaigner, France’s ambassador to West Africa’s Sahel region, tweeted: “Terrorist attack this morning in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: solidarity with colleagues and Burkinabe friends.” He urged people to avoid the city centre. After the first big blast, the sound of a series of smaller explosions and exchanges of gunfire came from the direction of the headquarters. It ceased by around noon.

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Get assembly election result LIVE updates from each constituency in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya</s>It's not yet clear who was behind the violence in the West African nation's capital, Ouagadougou.

France's special envoy to Africa's Sahel region, Jean-Marc Châtaigner, urged people to avoid the city center in a tweet referring to a "terrorist attack."

Rémi Dandjinou, Burkina Faso's minister of communication, told CNN that an explosive device was used in the attack at the General Staff of the Armed Forces. At least five people were killed and two attackers "neutralized" there, he said.

Four attackers were also "neutralized" and two Burkina Faso security members killed at the French Embassy, according to Dandjinou.

He cautioned that the death toll might change. A spokesman for the French Ministry of Defense told CNN the situation at the embassy was under control. Freelance journalist Yacouba Ouédraogo, who is in Ouagadougou, told CNN the shooting had stopped and that the people who attacked the army headquarters wore Burkinabé army clothes. A government statement urged people to keep calm and avoid areas where there might be gunfire. The French Embassy earlier said on Facebook that attacks were underway there and at the French Institute, a cultural organization about a mile away. France's ambassador to Burkina Faso, Xavier Lapdecab, urged people via Twitter to act with "absolute precaution" as the attack was ongoing. Burkina Faso's national police warned people to move away from areas around the "vicinity of the Prime Ministry -- and the United Nations roundabout" in a post on its Facebook page. "The specialized units of the defense and security forces are in action," it said. People watch as black smoke rises in the capital of Burkina Faso after it came under attack Friday. The Prime Minister's office later posted on Facebook that it was not affected by the attack. The US Embassy urged people to seek shelter. "Attacks are reported to be ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou, in the Koulouba area. The affected area includes the Chief of Staff Headquarters. Avoid downtown Ouagadougou. Shelter in place. Monitor local media for updates," it said on Twitter. Attacks are reported to be ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou, in the Koulouba area. The affected area includes the Chief of Staff Headquarters. Avoid downtown Ouagadougou. Shelter in place. Monitor local media for updates. #lwili — USEmbassyOuaga (@Usembassyouaga) March 2, 2018 France has a military presence in Burkina Faso as part of Operation Barkhane, which was launched in 2014 to combat jihadist activity across the Sahel region. The West, particularly France, considers Burkina Faso a key ally in the fight against al Qaeda in the region. The country was formerly known as the Republic of Upper Volta when it was established in 1958 as a self-governing colony under France. It gained full independence in 1960. Bystanders look on as security personnel move beside an armored personnel carrier in Ouagadougou. It's not the first time that sites in the capital have come under attack. An attack by gunmen last year on a restaurant in Ouagadougou left at least 18 people dead, including two attackers. The victims were of several different nationalities. That assault echoed a similar one in 2016 on a cafe and hotel popular with Western diplomats in the same district of the city that left 29 dead. Responsibility for that attack was claimed by an al Qaeda affiliate, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Later that year a jihadist assault on the Grand-Bassam beach resort killed 16 in neighboring Ivory Coast.</s>March 2 (UPI) -- Masked gunmen attacked multiple sites in the capital of Burkina Faso Friday, including the French Embassy, resulting in the deaths of multiple people -- including six attackers, local officials said.

Officials and witnesses said a carload of gunmen arrived at France's consulate in Ouagadougou, emerged and began shooting.

Rémi Dandjinou, Burkina Faso's minister of communication, told CNN the attackers also used an explosive device at a military site. French Embassy officials said a French cultural center also was under attack.

"Attack under way at the French Embassy and French Institute. Stay hidden where you are," the French Embassy wrote in a Facebook post Friday morning.

Dandjinou said five people were killed the General Staff of the Armed Forces, as well as two attackers. Four attackers and two Burkina Faso security forces died at the embassy.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said local forces brought the attack "under control" at the embassy before gunfire erupted at the military facility.

Dandjinou said there were no known civilian deaths or injuries.

The city's mayor said the terror attack was carried out by "jihadists" and the French special envoy to Africa's Sahel region, Jean-March Châtaigner described it as a "terrorist attack." No one has claimed responsibility for the violence.</s>"The attack is ongoing at the French embassy and the French Institute," the post said, adding that people should remain "confined" to where they are. The French Institute is a cultural organization.

France's ambassador to Burkina Faso, Xavier Lapdecab, urged people via Twitter to act with "absolute precaution" as the attack is ongoing.

Burkina Faso's national police have warned people to move away from areas around the "vicinity of the Prime Ministry -- and the United Nations roundabout."

"The specialized units of the defense and security forces are in action," the force said on its official Facebook page.

The US Embassy in Burkina Faso also warned US citizens to seek shelter amid reports of gunfire. A tweet from the US Embassy read: "@Usembassyouaga has received reports of gunfire in downtown Ouagadougou. Avoid the area of downtown Ouagadougou. Seek secure shelter. Monitor local media for updates. Check back here for more updates from the embassy." @Usembassyouaga has received reports of gunfire in downtown Ouagadougou. Avoid the area of downtown Ouagadougou. Seek secure shelter. Monitor local media for updates. Check back here for more updates from the embassy #Lwili — USEmbassyOuaga (@Usembassyouaga) March 2, 2018 An attack by gunmen last year on a restaurant in Ouagadougou left at least 18 people dead, including two attackers. That assault echoed a similar one in 2016 on a cafe in the same district of the city that left 29 dead. Responsibility for that attack was claimed by the jihadist group al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Later that year jihadist attackers launched an assault on the Grand-Bassam beach resort in Ivory Coast, killing 16.</s>The Latest on the attack in Burkina Faso's capital (all times local):

Burkina Faso's communications minister says eight Islamic extremists, and seven Burkina Faso soldiers have been killed in the attacks on the French Embassy and army headquarters in Ouagadougou, the capital.

Communications minister Remy Danjuinou said five of the extremists were killed near the embassy and three others near the army head of state offices. He said that the death toll for the soldiers is likely to climb, as many others were seriously wounded.

French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says the attacks targeted several places in Ouagadougou Friday including the French embassy.

Le Drian says in a written statement that Burkina Faso security forces are mobilized against the assailants, with the support of French security forces, to "reduce the threat."

He says a crisis center has been set up at the ministry in Paris to monitor the situation.

Safety instructions are being sent to the French citizens in Ouagadougou. "Their safety is my priority," Le Drian said.

Burkina Faso's communications minister says four Islamic extremists have been killed after they attacked the French Embassy in Ouagadougou, the capital.

Communications minister Remy Danjuinou confirmed that Islamic extremists attacked both the French Embassy and the Burkina Faso army headquarters in Ouagadougou. He said it was not clear how many militants staged the assaults in both locations and others may be on the run.

He said gunfire and explosions had subsided and people were seen leaving offices near the attacks.

Souro Sanou, an official at the hospital in the capital, said that several people have been wounded. He was not able to give further casualty details.

French authorities are on alert and warning of gunfire in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou and telling French citizens to stay inside after an apparent Islamic extremist attack.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office says he is following the situation closely. The attack comes three months after Macron visited the former French colony.

France's foreign ministry doesn't confirm whether or not the French embassy and the French Institute in the city were targeted.

The French embassy in Ouagadougou writes on its Facebook page "there is no certainty at the moment" about the places that where targeted.

Several messages published on the foreign ministry's website and Twitter accounts urge French citizen to avoid the city center, stay off the streets and remain in a safe place.

Burkina Faso's police director general says the capital is being attacked by suspected Islamic extremists after explosions and gunfire were heard in Ouagadougou early Friday.

Jean Bosco Kienou told The Associated Press Friday "the form is that of a terrorist attack."

Gunshots became intermittent and helicopters are now flying near the French Embassy.

Heavy smoke is seen coming from the army joint chief of staff's office in Ouagadougou. Witness said loud explosions were still heard around the army headquarters.

Witnesses at the national television office which faces the French Embassy said that five people came in a pick-up truck in front of the embassy and started shooting after saying "Allahu Akhbar" and then set fire to the truck and began shooting.

Gunfire and explosions rocked Burkina Faso's capital Friday, by the army headquarters and in a neighborhood that houses embassies, the offices of the prime minister and the United Nations.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen above the army offices in western Ouagadougou where police and gendarmerie responded. Barricades were erected to keep people from that area and from the French Embassy and the prime minister's office in the eastern part of the city center where gunfire and smoke were reported.

Witnesses told The Associated Press that they saw five attackers in a pickup truck heading toward the French Embassy. They said the attackers left the truck, set fire to the embassy and started shooting.</s>OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — The Latest on the attack in Burkina Faso's capital (all times local):

The United Nations chief is condemning Friday's terrorist attacks in the capital of Burkina Faso.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says in a statement that the United Nations will "support Burkina Faso in its efforts to fight violent extremism and terrorism."

He also called on the world's nations to "promote national reconciliation and create the conditions for sustainable peace and development" in Burkina Faso.

Islamic extremists struck the French Embassy and Burkina Faso army headquarters in coordinated attacks of gunfire and explosives Friday, killing eight people and wounding more than 80 others. All eight militants were slain by security forces.

French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken with the president of Burkina Faso to express his condolences and support after an attack in that nation's capital.

Islamic extremists struck the French Embassy and army headquarters in coordinated attacks of gunfire and explosives Friday in Burkina Faso's capital, killing eight people and wounding more than 80 others. All eight militants were slain by security forces.

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Friday that Macron expressed "our determination to fight unforgivingly against these terrorists who want to destabilize the Sahel and ... pose a danger to our own security interests."

Le Drian said the French leader said "this fight must continue." He did not talk about any French military reinforcements to the city.

The violence, which the government labeled a terrorist attack, marked a further deterioration in Ouagadougou's perilous security situation.

France's foreign minister said his country is as determined as ever to fight extremist violence in Africa after the French Embassy was targeted in Burkina Faso.

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Friday in televised remarks that "they targeted France, which is linked to Burkina Faso in its fight against terrorism."

He said the embassy was attacked around 10:15 a.m. but gendarmes and troops repelled the attack and no one in the embassy was hurt. He said one gendarme and all four attackers were killed in the operation.

He said at the same time there was an attack by a different group on the Burkina army headquarters where there were "numerous victims" and serious damage.

The French Foreign Ministry said the situation around the embassy in Ouagadougou has now "stabilized."

The Paris prosecutor's office has opened a preliminary investigation into attempted murder because the French Embassy was among targets of the attack, a judicial official said on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to be publicly named. The investigation will seek to determine the perpetrators and reason for the attack.

Burkina Faso's army health director general, Col. Amade Kafando, says that at least 90 people have been wounded after the attacks by extremists in the capital.

Communications minister Remy Danguinou said the death toll is likely to climb.

Windows are broken at the military's joint chief of staff building and several others around it.

Burkina Faso's communications minister says eight Islamic extremists, and seven Burkina Faso soldiers have been killed in the attacks on the French Embassy and army headquarters in Ouagadougou, the capital.

Communications minister Remy Danguinou said five of the extremists were killed near the embassy and three others near the army head of state offices. He said that the death toll for the soldiers is likely to climb, as many others were seriously wounded.

French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says the attacks targeted several places in Ouagadougou Friday including the French embassy.

Le Drian says in a written statement that Burkina Faso security forces are mobilized against the assailants, with the support of French security forces, to "reduce the threat."

He says a crisis center has been set up at the ministry in Paris to monitor the situation.

Safety instructions are being sent to the French citizens in Ouagadougou. "Their safety is my priority," Le Drian said.

Burkina Faso's communications minister says four Islamic extremists have been killed after they attacked the French Embassy in Ouagadougou, the capital.

Communications minister Remy Danguinou confirmed that Islamic extremists attacked both the French Embassy and the Burkina Faso army headquarters in Ouagadougou. He said it was not clear how many militants staged the assaults in both locations and others may be on the run.

He said gunfire and explosions had subsided and people were seen leaving offices near the attacks.

Souro Sanou, an official at the hospital in the capital, said that several people have been wounded. He was not able to give further casualty details.

French authorities are on alert and warning of gunfire in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou and telling French citizens to stay inside after an apparent Islamic extremist attack.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office says he is following the situation closely. The attack comes three months after Macron visited the former French colony.

France's foreign ministry doesn't confirm whether or not the French embassy and the French Institute in the city were targeted.

The French embassy in Ouagadougou writes on its Facebook page "there is no certainty at the moment" about the places that where targeted.

Several messages published on the foreign ministry's website and Twitter accounts urge French citizen to avoid the city center, stay off the streets and remain in a safe place.

Burkina Faso's police director general says the capital is being attacked by suspected Islamic extremists after explosions and gunfire were heard in Ouagadougou early Friday.

Jean Bosco Kienou told The Associated Press Friday "the form is that of a terrorist attack."

Gunshots became intermittent and helicopters are now flying near the French Embassy.

Heavy smoke is seen coming from the army joint chief of staff's office in Ouagadougou. Witness said loud explosions were still heard around the army headquarters.

Witnesses at the national television office which faces the French Embassy said that five people came in a pick-up truck in front of the embassy and started shooting after saying "Allahu Akhbar" and then set fire to the truck and began shooting.

Gunfire and explosions rocked Burkina Faso's capital Friday, by the army headquarters and in a neighborhood that houses embassies, the offices of the prime minister and the United Nations.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen above the army offices in western Ouagadougou where police and gendarmerie responded. Barricades were erected to keep people from that area and from the French Embassy and the prime minister's office in the eastern part of the city center where gunfire and smoke were reported.

Witnesses told The Associated Press that they saw five attackers in a pickup truck heading toward the French Embassy. They said the attackers left the truck, set fire to the embassy and started shooting.

Associated Press writer Carley Petesch in Dakar, Senegal contributed to this report.

This series has been corrected to show that the name of Burkina Faso's communications minister is spelled Danguinou.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – Gunmen attacked the army’s headquarters in the capital of Burkina Faso on Friday as well as the downtown area and France’s embassy, and the French ambassador said an explosion in the city was a terrorist attack.
A terrorist attack at the French embassy and military headquarters in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, leaves 28 people dead and at least 50 others injured.