At Least 5 Killed in Attack in Mali

An attack at a checkpoint in southeast Mali killed at least five people, including customs officers, civilians, and local and military sources announced on Sunday.

A military source told AFP news agency a "terrorist attack" had killed seven civilians and customs officers at the Koutiala checkpoint but a local councillor said the death toll was five.

Source did not disclose any details about the breakdown of the civilian and customs officers involved.

"The enemies also suffered losses," the military source said, adding the situation was currently under control.

Reports noted that during the time of the attack, the Malian army was conducting an operation in the Koutiala area, near the border with Burkina Faso.

Last month, France affirmed that Mali’s decision to renounce their military cooperation agreement after Paris fell out with its ruling junta is “unjustified”.

Paris “considers that this decision is unjustified and absolutely contests any violation of the bilateral legal framework”, a French foreign ministry spokesman told reporters, adding that it would not affect the military withdrawal.

The spokesman stressed that France would continue the withdrawal in good order of its military presence in Mali, in line with its commitments to its partners.

The remarks came after Bamako announced it would quit the 2014 accords because of “flagrant violations” of its sovereignty by French troops.

Following two coups in the country, the former colonial power began removing soldiers belonging to its Barkhane force from Mali amid rising tensions with the military-controlled government.

This big move came as diplomats claimed that the UN Security Council had held a closed-door session on Mali on Tuesday at Russia’s request.