One Turkish citizen among 18 killed in gun attack on restaurant in Burkina Faso

A Turkish national was among at least 18 people killed in an attack in Burkina Faso by suspected jihadists, Turkey's foreign ministry said on Aug. 14.  

It said another Turk was wounded in the Aug. 13 raid on a restaurant in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou.

"We strongly condemn the terrorist attack that happened in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou yesterday evening, which caused the death and injury of scores. We convey our condolences to families of victims and wish a speedy

 recovery to the brotherly Burkina Faso people," a statement by the ministry read on Aug. 14. 

At least one French national was killed in the attack, Paris prosecutors said.

Witnesses said three gunmen arrived at a Turkish restaurant in a pickup truck on Aug. 13 evening and opened fire on customers seated outside. 

The government then launched a counter-assault, with gunfire heard into the night.

"A terrorist attack at Istanbul restaurant on Ouagadougou's Kwame Nkrumah Avenue claimed 17 victims, their nationalities are yet to be confirmed," a government statement said, adding that 12 people had been injured. 

Communication minister Remis Dandjinou said it was not clear how many assailants were involved. 

"They are confined to one part of the building they attacked. Security and elite forces are conducting an operation," he said on television.

Police evacuated civilians from the area before launching the counter-assault, with the heavy exchange of fire becoming more sporadic as the operation went on. 

One soldier had said there were hostages on the first and second floor of the two-storey building housing the Turkish restaurant.     

The mayor of Ouagadougou and government ministers...