OUAGADOUGOU, March 2, 2018 (News agencies) - Gunfire and an explosion have been heard near the army headquarters and the French embassy in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou on Friday. Witnesses have reported seeing armed men getting out of a car and opening fire before heading towards the embassy. "An attack is under way," the French ambassador tweeted. 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 terrorists 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. 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 on 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. Ouagadougou Mayor Armand Béouindé told France's Le Monde newspaper that the attackers shot at the town hall and his office windows were shattered. "Apparently, it is a jihadist attack," he said, but gave no further details. French President Emmanuel Macron was being kept up-to-date, said the Elysée Palace in Paris. He has urged French nationals in the country to follow the embassy's advice and stay away from troubled areas. French forces based in the country have also been deployed. A statement on the French embassy's Facebook page said it was not clear which locations were being targeted. It appears to be a twin assault as the city's military barracks and the embassy - which is also near the prime minister's office - are about one kilometre (half a mile) apart. Ouagadougou has suffered two major attacks by Islamic extremists in the last two years.
