21 people killed in north Mali attack

According to Mali's army, at least 17 soldiers and four civilians have been killed in an attack in a strategic border zone between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

22 soldiers were injured and nine are missing. Two of the civilians killed were elected officials.

In an announcement, the army blamed "terrorists" for the attack on Sunday, saying its troops had been fighting against the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) group, which is affiliated with the Islamic State organisation.

The area were the attack took place is on the Malian side of the so-called "three-border area" which is a gold-rich region outside of state control.

Due to ongoing conflict, thousands have fled the area.

The Malian army has frequently been attacked in the area. UN peacekeepers have also been deployed there.

On the same day, an attack in Sona, in the Koutiala area of southern Mali near the border with Burkina Faso, killed five police officers.

Furthermore, 12 people were killed in central Mali on Friday when explosives were planted in the bodies of killed civilians that relatives had come to collect.

Conflict in Mali has taken thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Violence has spread from the north of the country to the centre and south and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Image: Pixabay