A mortar strike was executed on a United Nations’ base in Northern Mali’s Kidal on Saturday, which killed three people and injured twenty others. Hit the jump for the full story.
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Casualties count three people dead, including two U.N. peacekeepers and a contractor, said Olivier Salgado, spokesman for the U.N mission in Mali known as MINUSMA.
Twenty people were also left injured, four of which are in serious condition, said Salgado.
No group or nation has claimed responsibility for the mortar attack but the Islamic state is suspected.
In 2013, the French forced Islamic militants out of Mali’s northern cities and towns, despite jihadists continuing to carry out attacks on U.N peacekeepers.
Northern Mali has not been stable since it’s fall to Tuareg separatists and Islamic extremists after a 2012 military coup. Amidst French troops teamed with U.N. forces, the extremists have continued random attacks in northern Mali with no signs of stopping.
Extremists also went farther south this year, including an assault on a Bamako restaurant/nightclub filled with foreigners in March and of course the Nov. 20 attack on a luxury hotel of the capital.
Mongi Hamdi, the head of the U.N. mission and the special representative for the secretary-general in Mali stated:
“I want to reiterate that these attacks will not impede the determination of the United Nations to support the Malian people and the peace process. I express my solidarity and salute the brave men and women serving (the U.N. mission) throughout the country for their efforts to bringing lasting peace to Mali in these difficult conditions.”
Malian officials have made 2 arrests in the hotel attack dating Nov. 20 and are now furthering an investigation into Saturday’s mortar attack.
