AFRICA DIPLOMATIC

Diplomatis confirm assault at French Embassy and  Institute in Burkina Faso capital #Ouagadougou. The vehicles stationed next to the buildings are still in flames.

The “terrorist attack” has stricken Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, France’s ambassador to West Africa’s Sahel region said after an explosion hit the army headquarters there and witnesses reported seeing masked gunmen storming the building.

An armed attack is underway in downtown Ouagadougou near the prime minister’s office and UN roundabout, says the Burkina Faso Police.

Burkina Faso police director general says capital is being attacked by suspected Islamic extremists. Gunshots have been intermittent and helicopters are now flying near the embassy.

According to witnesses gunmen stepped out of the car, shooting pedestrians passing by, and then rushed to the Embassy building, there are military helicopters and army units, protecting the buildings, AFP correspondent reports.