Mali’s army says terrorist attack on base near capital repelled

KIGALI, Rwanda

A soldier was among eight people killed in a terrorist attack on a military base near Mali’s capital Bamako, the army said on Friday.

Seven terrorists were shot dead as Malian forces “vigorously repelled” the attack by Katiba Macina, a group affiliated with the al-Qaeda and Daesh/ISIS terror organizations, according to a military statement.

The attack on the Kati military barracks, some 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Bamako, began early in the morning with two vehicles packed with explosives, the army said.

Six people were wounded in the assault and eight more have been arrested, the statement said.

“The situation is under control and a search is underway to flush out the perpetrators and their accomplices,” it added.

Since 2012, Mali has been battling violence orchestrated by militant and terrorist groups in northern and central parts of the country.

Friday’s attack came a day after coordinated assaults on army bases in central Mali left one soldier dead and 15 wounded. ​​​​​​​