At least 49 civilians and 15 soldiers died during a dual terrorist attack in northern Mali, on Thursday, the Malian government said in a statement.
Claimed by the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the two attacks targeted passengers of the boat “Tombouctou” and a military camp of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) in Gao region, it said.
“In response to this double attack, a combined air-land action by our valiant FAMa made it possible to neutralise around 50 terrorists,” the statement said.
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“Security operatives evacuated all passengers and secured the places, which are still subject to sweeping and surveillance.”
A few hours after the attacks, Mali’s interim president, Assimi Goita, declared a three-day national mourning starting on Thursday.
Since 2012, insurgencies, jihadist incursions and inter-community violence have plagued Mali
These have left thousands of people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. (Xinhua)
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