Casualties reported in northern Mali suicide attacks

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

BAMAKO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Suicide bomb attacks caused casualties in northern Mali on Thursday and Friday, the latest in a series launched by rebels this month apparently in a counter- offensive to the Malian army and its allies, according to local sources.

The Malian military reported twin car bomb attacks near the northern town of Tessalit, killing at least five people including civilians and the suicide bombers.

The raid came one day after a suicide car bombing in another northern town of Kidal, killing a guard and the driver.

The suicide attacks were reported amid tensions in Gao, the biggest town in northern Mali, where five rebels were killed in battles with Malian and French troops on Thursday over its control.

The Malian military said the rebels, who lost control of the town last month after occupying it for nine months, managed to enter the city on Wednesday.

The Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) targeted the mayor's office, before repelled by the army.

Gao had previously witnessed two suicide attacks by rebels.

from XINHUA
2013-02-22 18:40:14
Editor: Wang Yuanyuan

Posted in: Bamako, Mali, Military of Mali, Suicide attack, Tessalit