Mali: 6 Soldiers Killed, 20 Injured In 'Terror' Attacks

Six soldiers were killed and 20 injured in simultaneous attacks targeting three army bases in the central Mali on Sunday, the Malian army said. Targets in Sevare, Niono and Bapho were all hit by armed terrorist groups (who) used suicide vehicles packed with explosives, the army said in a statement. The group Katiba of Macina belongs

to the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked alliance and the biggest jihadist network in the Sahel. On Sunday morning, the mujahideen of the Katiba of Macina also struck three camps of the (Malian armed forces), a member of the group said in an audio. The source said Bapho and Niono were hit, in line with

information from the Mali's army. It also said Segou was attacked, which was not among the targets mentioned by the Malian army. We hit these camps at the same time within five minutes of each other. (Apart from the) deaths, we caused material damage to them, the audio recording said.Military sources earlier said the attacks

occurred at 0500 GMT in Sevare, Niono and Bapho, all in the centre of the country. The Malian army also said six soldiers died and 15 were injured in the Sevare, while 11 attackers including the suicide vehicle driver were also killed.Another soldier was injured in Bapho and a further four in Niono. The situation is under control. The FAMa

(Malian armed forces are combing through the target sectors and security measures are being reinforced in all rights of way, it said in its statement.In Sevare, there was a double terrorist attack with shots fired and machinery exploded. The army retaliated, one of the military sources said.