10 Malian soldiers killed in attack by suspected jihadists

BAMAKO, Mali

Ten Malian soldiers were killed and several others were injured after suspected Islamist militants attacked their camp in Mali’s restive central region early on Wednesday, security sources said.

One source who spoke on condition of anonymity said “heavily armed individuals in armoured vehicles” attacked the camp at Boni, located between Douentza and Hombori in Mopti region.

The camp was also severely damaged and the militants made away with a variety of equipment, the source added.

A Malian military official said the attackers suffered “major casualties” but did not give any further information.

The Malian army said on social media that it had received air support from France’s anti-jihadist Barkhane mission in the Sahel.

Tadayt, a propaganda outlet affiliated to Al-Qaeda, claimed that the attack was conducted by the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), reputed to be one of the most dangerous groups in the Sahel region.

Mali, particularly its central region, has been plagued by deadly ethnic and jihadist violence since 2012 when a revolt broke out leaving thousands of people dead and thousands of others displaced.

Mali’s military has also suffered great losses in terms of personnel and equipment in the fight to regain the region’s peace and stability.