Mali: UN peacekeepers killed in Kidal blast
- 10 years ago
Two United Nations peacekeepers have been killed in a car bomb blast in Kidal, northeastern Mali, according to witnesses.
The explosion targeted the town’s only operating bank. The building collapsed, so more casualties are feared.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack.
It came two weeks after separatist Tuareg rebels said they were ending a ceasefire. Kidal is one of their strongholds.
The threat of violence is casting a shadow over Mali’s parliamentary elections. A second round of voting is due to take place on Sunday, December 15.
French-led troops defeated Islamist rebels in the north of the country nearly a year ago, but insurgent attacks have continued.
The Tuaregs seized control of Kidal after the French offensive had driven the Islamists out of the town – leading to tensions with the Malian government.
The explosion targeted the town’s only operating bank. The building collapsed, so more casualties are feared.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack.
It came two weeks after separatist Tuareg rebels said they were ending a ceasefire. Kidal is one of their strongholds.
The threat of violence is casting a shadow over Mali’s parliamentary elections. A second round of voting is due to take place on Sunday, December 15.
French-led troops defeated Islamist rebels in the north of the country nearly a year ago, but insurgent attacks have continued.
The Tuaregs seized control of Kidal after the French offensive had driven the Islamists out of the town – leading to tensions with the Malian government.