OUAGADOUGOU, Jan. 16 -- An Al-Qaeda affiliate has claimed responsibility for the hotel attack which has so far killed 20 in the capital of Burkina Faso Friday, a U.S.-based monitor group said on its website.

SITE Intelligence group, a jihadist monitoring group, said "Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed credit for the raid at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, reporting its execution by the recently-joined al-Murabitoon Battalion."

Armed men took hostages after attacking the hotel late on Friday, several people near the hotel were feared dead, according to media reports.

The Burkina Faso government is planning to fight back following the attack, with the help of foreign forces, said media reports.

The Splendid Hotel often hosts Westerners, including UN staff and journalists, CNN reported, adding that two car exploded outside the hotel before six gunmen raided the hotel and took hostages there.