5 terrorists killed after ambush targets Malian soldier

ANKARA

A Malian soldier was killed and two others wounded in an ambush in central Mali, the defense ministry said in a statement late Wednesday.

The ambush took place on Wednesday between Fafa and Bentia in central Mali.

"A FAMA [Mali Armed Forces] logistic escort mission was ambushed on July 17, 2019 between Fafa and Bentia. It was during the day. This mission left Labbezanga for Gao," the statement said.

It added that in an operation launched after the attack, five terrorists were killed.

The statement gave no further details about the identities of the perpetrators of the ambush.

Several terrorist groups are active in northern Mali, where French, Malian and UN peacekeepers are conducting counterterrorism operations.

Tensions erupted in Mali in 2012 following a failed coup and a Tuareg rebellion that ultimately allowed al-Qaeda-linked militant groups to take over the northern half of the country.

In 2015, a peace deal was signed between the government and some insurgent groups.

Political and community disputes continue to fuel tensions in northern Mali, thus undermining the implementation of the peace agreement.

Since 2015, these attacks have spread to central and southern Mali and to neighboring West African countries, particularly Burkina Faso and Niger.