BAMAKO: Two Chadian soldiers and a civilian were killed when militants attacked army positions in northern Mali yesterday, an army source from the troubled west African nation told AFP.
The attack comes amid an upsurge in violence in northern Mali by Islamist extremists who were ousted by French and African troops after occupying the vast desert north for nine months last year.
“Jihadists attacked the positions of the Chadian army in Tessalit with heavy arms and car bombs. Two Chadian troops have been killed.
The four suicide bombers were also killed on the spot and a civilian also died,” the source told AFP.
“At present, the Chadian army and jihadists are exchanging gunfire.” An African source from the United Nations peacekeeping force stationed in the restive northern town of Kidal confirmed the death toll, and said the fighting was ongoing.
AFP
