Attackers strike Burkina Faso capital

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Gunmen attacked the army’s headquarters in the capital on Friday as well as the downtown area and France’s embassy. The French ambassador said an explosion in the city was a terrorist attack.

It was not clear who was behind the violence, but Burkina Faso and other West African countries have been targeted by extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State in the past few years.

A local news station showed pictures of black smoke coming from a building in central Ouagadougou and a Reuters correspondent found that most people had fled the streets.

“Attack under way at the French Embassy and French Institute. Stay hidden where you are,” the embassy said in a statement posted online.

A French official in Paris confirmed that an assault against the embassy was under way, as well as against the Burkina Faso army headquarters.

An explosion rocked the army headquarters and then gunfire rang out in the vicinity. A witness said masked gunmen with backpacks had attacked the army headquarters shortly before the explosion.

Extremists have gained a stronger foothold in Africa’s vast Sahel region in the last few years, launching attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Suspected extremists killed at least 18 people in August during a raid on a restaurant in Ouagadougou.

Five countries launched a new task force last year to tackle extremists in the region, to which international donors have committed half a billion dollars.