Vladimir Putin has sent his condolences to Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in connection with the Friday attack in Bamako

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent his condolences to Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in connection with the Friday attack in Bamako, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

According to Peskov, Putin has also expressed solidarity with the governments and people of all countries whose nationals were killed in the Mali capital.

On Friday, several armed militants took 170 people hostage at Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako. Malian and UN security forces then conducted an anti-terrorist operation to free the hostages.

According to the Mali leader, 19 people were killed in the attack and two militants died in the course of the siege. Another seven people were injured.

An American citizen was among the victims, according to US officials. Three Chinese citizens were also reportedly killed in the attack.

Keita declared a national state of emergency in Mali on Friday.

The Al Mourabitoun Islamist militant group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the Bamako attack, saying it was carried out jointly with al Qaeda.