PARIS: The attack on a Turkish restaurant in Burkina Faso’s capital on Sunday was the latest in a series of assaults in Africa targeting spots popular with foreigners and locals alike. Here is an overview of the worst such attacks in recent years, most of which have been claimed by jihadist groups:

Aug 13, 2017

Gunmen open fire at a Turkish restaurant in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, killing at least 18 people, including eight or more foreigners, and injuring dozens. Two assailants were killed in an assault by security forces. No group has yet claimed responsibility.

June 18

At least five people are killed when suspected jihadists storms the Kangaba tourist resort popular with foreigners on the edge of Mali’s capital Bamako.

June 14

At least six people are killed when a suicide car bomber targets the popular Posh Treats restaurant in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Al Qaeda-linked Shabaab claims responsibility.

March 13, 2016

Nineteen people including foreigners are killed when gunmen storm the Ivorian beach resort of Grand-Bassam. Al Qaeda’s North African affiliate, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), claims responsibility.

Jan 15

Thirty people are killed, including many foreigners, in an attack on a top Burkina Faso hotel and a nearby restaurant in Ouagadougou. AQIM claims the assault, saying the gunmen were from the Al Murabitoun group of Algerian extremist Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

Nov 20, 2015

Gunmen take guests and staff hostage at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako in a siege that leaves at least 20 dead, including 14 foreigners. The attack is claimed by AQIM, which says it was a joint operation with the Al Murabitoun group. Another jihadist group from central Mali, the Macina Liberation Front, also claims responsibility.

Oct 31

A Russian passenger jet is downed en route from Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh resort to Saint Petersburg, killing all 224 on board. The Egyptian branch of the militant Islamic State group claims responsibility. Russia confirms the crash was caused by a bomb.

Aug 7

Malian armed forces storm the Byblos hotel in the centre of the country, ending a hostage-taking by gunmen that leaves at least 13 people dead including four UN foreign contractors.

June 26

Thirty Britons are among 38 foreign holidaymakers killed in a gun and grenade attack on a beach resort near the Tunisian city of Sousse. The attack is claimed by the militant Islamic State group.

March 18

Gunmen kill 21 tourists and a policeman at the Bardo Museum in Tunis in another attack claimed by IS.

March 7

A grenade and gun attack on the popular La Terrasse nightclub in Bamako kills five people — three Malians, a Belgian and a Frenchman. The attack is claimed by Al Murabitoun.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2017