MALI: American Woman Killed In Mali Terror Attack Was From Western Mass.

Malians woke up Saturday to a state of emergency after Friday's shocking assault on the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital, which a military commander said killed at least 20 people plus two assailants.

Special units of the armed forces of Mali, with the support of the French security services began to assault the building and pushed the attacking troops to the upper floors, where an intense battle continued.

The al-Qaida-claimed attack on a Mali hotel may have been partly aimed at asserting the global terror network's relevance as it faces an unprecedented challenge from the Islamic State group for leadership of the global jihadi movement.

The gunmen burst through the hotel security barrier at about 7:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) Friday on a auto with diplomatic plates, spraying gunfire and shouting "Allahu Akbar", ("God is great" in Arabic). More than 100 other hostages were rescued by Malian forces at the hotel in Bamako. The statement from the Al-Mourabitoun (The Sentinels) group said the assault was in co-operation with al-Qaida's "Sahara Emirate".

France, the former colonial power in Mali, intervened in the country in January 2013, when al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to march on Bamako after taking control of the north of the country.

In the northern Mali regions of Timbuktu and Kidal, new leaflets were distributed on Saturday warning against collaboration with the Malian army, France and the United Nations peacekeeping mission, Sidati said.

The foreign victims included Russian, Chinese, Belgian, an American and a Senegalese nationals. At least one guest reported the attackers instructed him to recite verses from the Qur'an as proof of his Muslim faith before he was allowed to leave.

The attack may also be a way for al-Qaida and its allies to assert itself in the face of the highly publicized string of attacks carried out by its chief rival in jihad, the Islamic State group.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said six of its citizens died in the raid, while China's government said three Chinese were killed. "They have lost a lot of leaders in the last three years because of the French military intervention". During the assault two militants were killed.

Keita had been attending a security summit in Chad on Friday but returned to Mali and convened an emergency cabinet meeting.

"China will improve worldwide cooperation to crack down on terrorist activities that kill innocents and safeguard peace and stability of the world", Xi said.

"We believe that all African people will also strongly condemn and oppose the brutal crime", he said.

The lone American killed in Friday's terrorist attack in Mali was a native of western MA. Nothing changes in Mali.