A member of the security forces secures the area after an overnight raid on a restaurant in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso August 14, 2017. REUTERS/Bonaventure Pare

TORONTO (Reuters) - Two Canadians were among those killed in an attack on a Burkina Faso restaurant, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday, though she gave no information regarding the victims’ identities.

Suspected Islamist militants opened fire on patrons at a restaurant in the capital of Ouagadougou, killing at least 18 people and wounding several others.

Six Canadians were among those killed in an attack on a hotel in Burkina Faso in January, 2016.</s>At least 17 people, including foreigners, were reportedly shot dead as suspected Islamist militants attacked a Turkish restaurant in central Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina-Faso, and started a gun battle with the military.

The place, identified as Aziz Istanbul restaurant in the city center, was “attacked by suspected jihadists,” AFP reported, citing a restaurant server.

Three of the perpetrators have been killed by security forces, Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou confirmed to state TV on Monday, as cited by Reuters. He did not elaborate on how many attackers were involved in the assault.

“They are confined to one part of the building they attacked. Security and elite forces are conducting an operation,” he said earlier.

Earlier Dandjinou confirmed that at least 17 people have been killed and eight others injured in attack in the capital, Ouagadougou, Burkina 24 reported him as saying.

AFP reported, citing an unnamed army officer, that the hostages were taken on both floors of a two-story building, with the restaurant located on the ground floor.

Fuzzy footage of nighttime streets with heavy gunfire being heard has surfaced on social media. Some pictures showed presumed survivors of the attack. A witness told Reuters that he saw customers running out of the restaurant, with security forces surrounding the area.

RFI reported, citing witnesses, that three people drove to the café before going on a shooting rampage there.

Local MP Allassane Sakandé reported “a dozen wounded” and “several dead” as a result of the shooting, as cited by Radio Omega.

The director of Yalgado Ouedraogo Hospital in Ouagadougou, where the victims of the attack were taken, reported that at least three people had died and 11 others were injured in the assault.

The troops have reportedly stormed the café but the fate of the attackers was not immediately known.

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Remi Dandjinousay said the authorities are not ruling out that the incident was a terrorist attack.

The central street where the Turkish restaurant is located has several luxury hotels favored by foreign visitors, including the nearby Hotel Bravia and the Splendid Hotel. The Splendid was the target of the January 15, 2016 terrorist attack, in which Al-Qaeda-affiliated militants cold-bloodedly shot or took hostage some 200 people. Some 176 hostages were released, over 50 people were injured and 30 died. The slain victims included citizens of 10 foreign countries, including Canada, Ukraine, France, Switzerland and the US.

READ MORE: 6 Canadians, 4 Ukrainians, American among 28 killed in Burkina Faso attack aimed at ‘white people’

Abdoulaye Diop, Mali's foreign minister, expressed solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso on Twitter, calling the shooting incident “a barbarian act of terrorism."

Mali, which borders Burkina Faso, has been battling a jihadist insurgency in its northern and central regions for years. In June, jihadists stormed a luxury resort in Bamako, the country's capital, taking dozens of hostages and killing five people.</s>OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Suspected Islamic extremists opened fire at a Turkish restaurant late Sunday in the capital of Burkina Faso, killing at least 17 people in the second such attack on a restaurant popular with foreigners in the last two years.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the violence, which continued into the early hours Monday with yet another heavy exchange of gunfire overheard by witnesses.

Communication Minister Remi Dandjinou told journalists that at least 17 people were dead and eight others wounded, according to a provisional toll. The victims came from several different nationalities, he said. Among the dead was at least one French national.

Security forces arrived at the scene with armoured vehicles after reports of shots fired near Aziz Istanbul, an upscale restaurant in Ouagadougou. The attack brought back painful memories of the January 2016 attack at another cafe that left 30 people dead, including six Canadians.

Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation in West Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. It shares a northern border with Mali, which has long battled Islamic extremists.

Reuters TV / Reuters Police are seen on a street following an attack by gunmen on a restaurant in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in this still frame taken from video August 13, 2017. (REUTERS/Reuters TV)

The three attackers in the 2016 massacre were of foreign origin, according to al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, which claimed responsibility in the aftermath along with the jihadist group known as Al Mourabitoun. But the terror threat in Burkina Faso is increasingly homegrown, experts say.

The northern border region is now the home of a local preacher, Ibrahim Malam Dicko, who radicalized and has claimed recent deadly attacks against troops and civilians. His association, Ansarul Islam, is now considered a terrorist group by Burkina Faso's government.</s>Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says two Canadians were among 18 people killed in an attack at a popular restaurant in Burkina Faso.

Suspected extremists opened fire at a Turkish restaurant in the West African country’s capital of Ouagadougou late Sunday.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the violence, and three members of Burkina Faso’s security force were wounded during the seven-hour assault. Government spokesperson Remy Danguinou says the dead are “mainly women and children”.

Freeland expressed her heartfelt condolences and says out of respect for their kin they will not share the identities of the two Canadians.

This is the second attack in the last two years. In January 2016, an attack at a nearby cafe killed 30 people including six people from Quebec.</s>At least 17 people were killed and eight others wounded after gunmen attacked a Turkish restaurant in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, on Sunday night, Al-Jazeera reported. Burkina Faso’s Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou confirmed the toll on Monday morning.

Witnesses said three gunmen opened fire on customers seated outside the restaurant around 9.30 pm. The security forces reached the spot after receiving reports of shots being fired near the upscale Turkish restaurant Aziz Istanbul in Ouagadougou.

“We evacuated 11 people but one of them, a Turk, died on arriving at the hospital,” a paramedic told AFP. The others hospitalised were reported to be in a critical condition.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, it is suspected that the attack could be the work of one of the affiliates of al-Qaeda, reported BBC.

In January 2016, a similar attack at a nearby cafe had left 30 people dead.</s>Two Canadians among 18 people killed in Burkina Faso extremist attack

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says two Canadians were among 18 people killed in a suspected extremist attack on a popular restaurant in Burkina Faso.

The incident happened late Sunday when suspected Islamic extremists opened fire at a Turkish restaurant in the country’s capital.

Freeland says “the heartfelt condolences of our government go out to the loved ones of those targeted and the victims of this tragic attack.”

She says Canadian consular officials are working hard to provide assistance to the families of the victims.

Local authorities say other foreigners killed include two Kuwaitis and one person each from France, Senegal, Nigeria, Lebanon and Turkey.

Seven Burkina Faso citizens were also killed and authorities said three other victims had not yet been identified.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the violence, which continued into the early hours Monday.

The attack brought back painful memories of the January 2016 attack at another cafe that left 30 people dead.

Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation in West Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. It shares a northern border with Mali, which has long battled Islamic extremists.

Burkina Faso’s Foreign Ministry says one Canadian is among 18 killed in a suspected extremist attack on a popular restaurant in the country.

It says other foreigners killed include two Kuwaitis and one person each from France, Senegal, Nigeria, Lebanon and Turkey.

Suspected Islamic extremists opened fire at a Turkish restaurant in the West African country’s capital late Sunday.

Seven Burkina Faso citizens were also killed and authorities said three other victims had not yet been identified.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the violence, which continued into the early hours Monday.

Gunfire could be heard almost seven hours after the attack began.

Global Affairs Canada said it was reaching out to Canadian citizens in the area and was ready to provide consular assistance as required.

“Canada strongly condemns the attack,” said spokeswoman Brittany Venhola-Fletcher. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with those affected by the terror attacks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.”

The attack brought back painful memories of the January 2016 attack at another cafe that left 30 people dead.

Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation in West Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. It shares a northern border with Mali, which has long battled Islamic extremists.

— with files from the Associated Press.</s>Global Affairs Canada has identified one of the two Canadians killed inan attack on an upscale Turkish restaurant in Burkina Faso.

The federal government identified the victim as Tammy Chen, from Ontario. The name of the other Canadian killed has not been released.

Chen’s family asked for privacy, but confirmed to CTV Toronto that she had been working as a teacher in Burkina Faso.

The Hamilton, Ont.-born and Montreal-raised Chen had also previously worked as a French teacher in Toronto. She was newly married and pregnant, CTV Toronto’s Natalie Johnson reported Monday.

“We appreciate all those who have reached out to us in this terrible time and ask that our privacy please be respected,” Chen’s family said in a statement.

Earlier Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed the deaths of two Canadians in the Burkina Faso attack.

“My heartfelt condolences, the heartfelt condolences of our government go out to the loved ones of those targeted and the victims of this tragic attack,” Freeland told reporters.

Suspected Islamic extremists opened fire on crowds dining at a restaurant popular with tourists in the West African country’s capital Ouagadougou on Sunday evening.

Eighteen people died and at least eight others were wounded in the attack, according to Communications Minister and government spokesperson Remy Danguinou. He said the dead were “mainly children and women.”

The victims are of several different nationalities, including two Kuwaitis and one person each from France, Senegal, Nigeria, Lebanon and Turkey, the foreign ministry said. Seven citizens from Burkina Faso were also killed in the attack.

Authorities said three other victims had yet to be identified.

In a statement emailed to CTV News, Global Affairs Canada said they were reaching out to Canadian citizens in the area and were “ready to provide consular assistance as required.” They also advised Canadians in a tweet on Monday to avoid the affected area in Ouagadougou and to follow the instructions of local authorities.

On its website, Global Affairs Canada urges Canadians to avoid “all travel” to the northern area of Burkina Faso and its border with Mali as well as the W National Park.

The country’s special forces eventually ended the violence after a gun battle that lasted well into the early hours of Monday morning. Two of the assailants were killed by security forces, Danguinou said.

At least three members of Burkina Faso’s security forces were injured during the nearly seven-hour fight, said Capt. Guy Ye, a spokesperson for the security forces.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the violence.

The assault is reminiscent of a January 2016 attack at another café frequented by foreigners that left 30 people dead. That attack was claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and a jihadist group called Al Mourabitoun.

With files from The Associated Press</s>OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso -- An attack by gunmen on a Turkish restaurant left at least 17 people dead late Sunday in the capital of Burkina Faso, a West African country that has seen a surge in violence by Islamic extremists over the past few years.

Security forces were at the scene with armored vehicles, as reports of shots fired near an upscale restaurant in Ouagadougou brought back painful memories of a January 2016 attack at a cafe that left 30 people dead.

At least 17 people had been killed and 8 others were wounded, according to the Burkina Faso government. The figure was released early Monday by Burkina Faso's communications minister Remi Dandjinou.

Authorities suspect the attack was carried out by suspected jihadists.

BBC News is reporting that the city center has been sealed off by the army and the U.S. embassy in Ouagadougou has warned its citizens to avoid the area.

Two locations, Hotel Bravia and the Istanbul Restaurant, appear to have been at the heart of the attack, BBC News reports.

Shots were around 9 p.m. local time. Several hours later a heavy exchange of gunfire could still be heard, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation in West Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. It shares a northern border with Mali, which has long battled Islamic extremists.

The three attackers in the 2016 massacre were of foreign origin, according to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which claimed responsibility in the aftermath along with the jihadist group known as Al Mourabitoun. But the terror threat in Burkina Faso is increasingly homegrown, experts say.

The northern border region is now the home of a local preacher, Ibrahim Malam Dicko, who radicalized and has claimed recent deadly attacks against troops and civilians. His association, Ansarul Islam, is now considered a terrorist group by Burkina Faso's government.

This is a developing story. Check back for latest updates.</s>At least 17 people were killed and several wounded in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, after gunmen stormed the Aziz Istanbul restaurant on Sunday night. Security forces were deployed and engaged in heavy gunfire with the militants
• Burkina Faso: at least 17 dead in restaurant attack</s>Two Canadians killed in an attack on an upscale Turkish restaurant in Burkina Faso have been identified.

The federal government identified Tammy Chen from Ontario as one of the victims, and a Quebec anti-poverty group said one of its volunteers, Bilel Diffalah, was also killed in the shooting.

Suspected Islamic extremists opened fire on crowds dining at a restaurant popular with tourists in the West African country’s capital Ouagadougou on Sunday evening.

Chen’s family asked for privacy, but confirmed to CTV Toronto that she had been working as a teacher in Burkina Faso.

The Hamilton, Ont.-born and Montreal-raised Chen had also previously worked as a French teacher in Toronto. She was newly married and pregnant, CTV Toronto’s Natalie Johnson reported Monday.

“We appreciate all those who have reached out to us in this terrible time and ask that our privacy please be respected,” Chen’s family said in a statement.

Chen was eating dinner with her husband, Senagalese citizen Mehsen Fenaiche, at the upscale Aziz Istanbul, the same restaurant where the pair first met two years ago.

“They were the perfect couple,” said Fenaiche’s older brother, who recalled Chen as someone who loved to laugh.

When two gunmen jumped off motorbikes and randomly opened fire on the terrace, both Chen and Fenaiche were shot dead.

The federal government said it would not confirm the identity of the second victim out of respect for the family.

But Odette McCarthy, the president of the Montreal-based Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), said Diffalah volunteered as an adviser on hygiene and biosecurity with the group.

“He had a very strong background in veterinary science,” she told CTV News Channel. “He was working with a local organization, an inter-professional poultry organization that is very keen to improve quality control to protect the livestock, and improve the quality and quantity of poultry in Burkina Faso.”

Diffalah had been a volunteer since November 2016 with Uniterra, a joint program between CECI and World University Service of Canada (WUSC). McCarthy recently spent time with him on a field visit in May.

“It is very tragic, and we are very saddened by this loss,” she said. “He was very sociable, very engaged, and very determined to co-construct solutions.”

Fatimata Lankoande, a program co-ordinator in Burkina Faso, described Diffalah as a “very dedicated volunteer” who was respected by his colleagues.

“In our experience, he had always shown exemplary behaviour as a Canadian volunteering overseas," Lankoande said in a statement.

All other volunteers in Burkina Faso with WUSC and CECI have been accounted for, the groups confirmed.

The groups say they regularly monitor safety concerns in Burkina Faso and issue security updates for volunteers. The situation in the country was considered stable for the past several months, and the alert level was only raised a few times in the past year and a half.

No special official warning had been issued over the weekend when the attack occurred.

Earlier Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed the deaths of two Canadians in the Burkina Faso attack.

“My heartfelt condolences, the heartfelt condolences of our government go out to the loved ones of those targeted and the victims of this tragic attack,” Freeland told reporters.

Eighteen people died and at least eight others were wounded in the attack, according to Communications Minister and government spokesperson Remy Danguinou. He said the dead were “mainly children and women.”

The victims are of several different nationalities, including two Kuwaitis and one person each from France, Senegal, Nigeria, Lebanon and Turkey, the foreign ministry said. Seven citizens from Burkina Faso were also killed in the attack.

Authorities said three other victims had yet to be identified.

In a statement emailed to CTV News, Global Affairs Canada said they were reaching out to Canadian citizens in the area and were “ready to provide consular assistance as required.” They also advised Canadians in a tweet on Monday to avoid the affected area in Ouagadougou and to follow the instructions of local authorities.

On its website, Global Affairs Canada urges Canadians to avoid “all travel” to the northern area of Burkina Faso and its border with Mali as well as the W National Park.

The country’s special forces eventually ended the violence after a gun battle that lasted well into the early hours of Monday morning. Two of the assailants were killed by security forces, Danguinou said.

At least three members of Burkina Faso’s security forces were injured during the nearly seven-hour fight, said Capt. Guy Ye, a spokesperson for the security forces.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the violence.

The assault is reminiscent of a January 2016 attack at another café frequented by foreigners that left 30 people dead. That attack was claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and a jihadist group called Al Mourabitoun.

With files from The Associated Press
At least 17 people, including two Canadians, are reported dead and eight others injured in an attack on a Turkish themed restaurant in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.