Blasts in Mali kill and injure dozens amid resurgence of ‘terrorist incidents’
SMA NEWS – BAMAKO
Ten civilians and three soldiers were killed in a number of incidents across Mali on Saturday.
The government says 88 jihadists were put out of action in what they are describing as a resurgence of “terrorist incidents.”
The attacks began with car bombs near Sevare airport which killed 10 people and injured 61 others. They also destroyed some houses in the airport’s surrounding area, which is home to a Malian military camp.
In a statement, the government in Mali said that early Saturday morning, suspected jihadists attacked the Sevare airport area in the central Mopti region, detonating car bombs, which killed 10 civilians and injured 61 others.
The blasts destroyed some houses in the airport’s surrounding area, which is home to a Malian military camp.
“Thanks to the legendary determination of our valiant Armed Forces, operating exclusively with their own resources, the attackers were routed and 28 terrorists were neutralised”, it said.
A local source said that Senegalese soldiers from the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, were involved in the fighting.
MINUSMA’s camp covers four hectares (nearly 10 acres) next to the airport and the Malian army camp.
“MINUSMA strongly condemns the 22 April attacks on the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) camp in Sevare and the nearby car bombings that killed and injured civilians… Shots were also fired toward the MINUSMA camp,” the mission said in a statement Saturday.
“MINUSMA declares its readiness to provide all necessary support to the Malian authorities to conduct the required investigations.”
Two local elected officials and a diplomatic source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, referred to the base as a “Russian” camp.
