Peacekeeping troops injured in car bomb attack at Mali
Three French and Estonian troops were wounded when a car
bomb exploded at the entrance to an international peace-keeping base in the
Malian town of Gao, Sky News reported quoting France's military as saying on
Tuesday.
"There was an attack at the entrance to the French part
of the camp in Gao," French military spokesman Colonel Frederic Barbry
said.
"There was no incursion into the base." He said
the soldiers' injuries were not life-threatening but did not give a breakdown
of the casualties.
A Malian security source said that there were at least three
suicide bombers in the car, which had been painted in the colours of UN
vehicles. Several people were also injured in the neighbouring Malian camp,
including two children, the source added.
Around 50 Estonian troops provide protection and security
patrols for the Gao camp, which is the main base for the French Operation
Barkhane.
A year ago, French soldiers on patrol were targeted in Gao
by a car bomb attack, which left four dead and and around 20 civilians wounded.
