Burkina Faso: American killed in jihadist attack identified

An American killed in the attack by al Qaeda in Burkina Faso has been identified as Michael James Riddering, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement on Saturday.

No information was provided about the victim but John Kirby added that the U.S. embassy is in contact with local authorities to assist U.S. citizens.

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau also confirmed on Saturday that six Canadians were killed in the “cowardly and gratuitous” attack. He added that the six Canadians have not yet been identified.

A Burkinabe government source has told Reuters that the Canadians were humanitarian workers in the country.

Justin Trudeau expressed condolences to families, friends and colleagues of the victims adding that his government is giving all the “necessary assistance to Burkinabe authorities in the investigation of the “terrible crime”.

So far, Twenty-nine people have been confirmed dead while thirty are injured in new figures released by Burkina Faso officials.

Security forces in Burkina Faso retook a hotel in the capital on Saturday, a day after al Qaeda fighters seized it in an assault that killed at least 28 people from at least 18 countries marking a major escalation of Islamist militancy in West Africa.