Mali Hit By A Wave Of Jihadist Attacks

 

CNN: Mali hit by waves of attacks that have left more than 60 dead amid spiraling insecurity 

Mali has been hit by a wave of attacks over a 24-hour period, sparking fears of spiraling insecurity in the aftermath of two coups in the volatile Sahel country. 

On Friday, Mali’s armed forces reported a “complex” suicide attack on the airport area of the military base in the northern Gao region, according to a post on its official Facebook page. It said the situation was still being assessed and gave no further details.  

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Mali Hit By A Wave Of Jihadist Attacks  

Mali military camp is attacked a day after 49 civilians and 15 soldiers were killed in assaults -- AP  

More than 60 killed in attacks on passenger boat and army base in Mali -- France 24  

Mali: At least 49 civilians reported dead in attack on river boat -- BBC  

Mali jihadists kill dozens in twin attacks amid growing Islamist threat -- The Guardian  

Mali witnesses fresh suicide attack at military base -- DW  

Civilians and soldiers dead after Islamic militants attack military camp, boat in Mali -- ABC News Australia

UN Security Council Votes To End Mali Peacekeeping Mission

 

DW: Mali: UN ends peace mission, US blames Russia's Wagner 

Mali's relations with the West have deteriorated sharply since a 2020 military coup in the country. 

The junta has rallied behind Russia and brought in the paramilitary Wagner Group to meet its security needs. The UN Security Council on Friday voted to end a decade-old peacekeeping mission in Mali as demanded by the country's military junta. 

The French-drafted resolution, adopted by a 15-0 vote, ordered the mission, known as MINUSMA, to immediately start the withdrawal of over 15,000 personnel. 

The pullout is to be completed by the end of the year.  

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UN Security Council Votes To End Mali Peacekeeping Mission  

UN Security Council terminates Mali peacekeeping mission -- UN News 

UN votes to end its peacekeeping mission in Mali as demanded by the country's military junta -- AP  

Boost for Wagner as Mali shuns UN troops, but at what cost? -- BBC

Mali Orders The Suspension Of All New Rotations Of UN Peacekeeping Forces

MINUSMA has some 13,000 soldiers and nearly 2,000 police in Mali  

VOA: Mali Suspends Rotation of UN Forces  

Bamako, Mali — Mali's military government has suspended the rotation of U.N. military and police forces following the renewal late last month of the mandate of the U.N. mission there. 

The government announced in a written statement that, for “national security” reasons, “all rotations of the military contingent and police contingent of MINUSMA” were suspended as of Thursday. 

The suspension comes after Mali arrested 49 soldiers from Ivory Coast on Sunday.  

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WNU Editor: This suspension comes amid tensions over Mali's arrest of nearly 50 Ivorian soldiers, who the Ivory Coast said were working with the UN peacekeeping mission .... Mali detains Ivorian soldiers, accuses them of being mercenaries (RFI).  

Update: It looks like UN troops are not going to be permitted to leave .... Mali stops 8 German soldiers from leaving amid troop lockdown (The SUN). 

Mali Orders The Suspension Of All New Rotations Of UN Peacekeeping Forces 

Mali to suspend all new UN peacekeeping rotations for 'national security' reasons -- France 24  

Mali orders suspension of U.N. peacekeeping mission rotations -- Reuters  

Mali orders suspension of all new UN peacekeeping rotations -- DW  

Mali suspends all new rotations of UN peacekeeping forces -- Al Jazeera

Government Officials Say Islamist Militants Killed 132 Villagers In Mali Weekend Attacks

VOA: Suspected Islamist Militants Kill 132 Civilians in Central Mali  

Bamako, Mali — Mali's military government says Islamist militants have massacred 132 civilians in the central Mopti region, in one of the deadliest attacks of the decade-long militant insurgency. 

Mali has declared three days of mourning after gunmen suspected to be Islamist militants killed 132 villagers in the central Mopti region. 

The attack on three villages the evening of June 18 is one of the deadliest since Mali’s conflict began in 2012.  

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Government Officials Say Islamist Militants Killed 132 Villagers In Mali Weekend Attacks 

Jihadists kill 132 civilians in Mali, government says -- CBC News/Reuters  

Suspected jihadists kill more than 130 civilians in central Mali, officials say -- France 24  

More than 100 civilians killed in Mali attacks: Gov’t -- Al Jazeera  

Mali mourns massacre victims -- DW

Human Rights Watch Says Mali Army And Russian Mercenaries Responsible For The Massacre Of 300 Civilian Men During Anti-Jihadist Operations

FILE - Soldiers of the Malian army are seen during a patrol on a road between Mopti and Djenne, in central Mali, Feb. 28, 2020.  

The Guardian: Russian mercenaries and Mali army accused of killing 300 civilians  

Human Rights Watch says deaths during anti-jihadist operation in Moura ‘the worst atrocity in Mali in a decade’ 

Suspected Russian mercenaries participated in an operation with Mali’s army in March in which about 300 civilian men were allegedly executed over five days, Human Rights Watch (HRW) says. 

Eyewitnesses and local community leaders said hundreds of men were rounded up and killed in small groups during the anti-jihadist operation on 23 March in the central town of Moura. 

The rural town of about 10,000 inhabitants is in the Mopti region, a hotspot of jihadist activity that has intensified and spread to neighbouring countries in the Sahel region.  

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Human Rights Watch Says Mali Army And Russian Mercenaries Responsible For The Massacre Of 300 Civilian Men During Anti-Jihadist Operations  

Mali: Massacre by Army, Foreign Soldiers -- Human Rights Watch  

Mali troops and suspected Russian fighters accused of massacre -- BBC  

Malian and foreign soldiers believed to have killed hundreds in town siege - HRW -- Reuters  

Mali, foreign forces executed hundreds in recent days: rights group -- The Hill  

Mali: HRW condemns ‘deliberate slaughter’ of 300 men by military -- Al Jazeera  

US Calls Reports of Many Killed in Mali 'Extremely Disturbing' -- VOA

West African Nations Impose Sanctions On Mali

 

DW: Mali: West African leaders agree on sanctions after coup 

West African leaders have imposed punitive measures on Mali as the military stalls a return to civilian rule. 

The move comes as regional leaders met in Ghana to discuss the crisis. Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met Sunday during an extraordinary summit of the 15-nation bloc in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, and agreed to impose economic sanctions on Mali. 

The punitive measures include sealing all land and air borders with the country. Nonessential financial transactions will be suspended, with Malian assets also being frozen in the ECOWAS central bank.  

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WNU Editor: Mali has responded to these new sanctions .... Mali's junta closes borders with ECOWAS states after bloc imposes sanctions (France 24). More here .... Mali's Junta Deplores New Sanctions Imposed by Regional Bloc (AP). 

West African Nations Impose Sanctions On Mali  

West African nations sever links with Mali over election delay -- Reuters  

West African bloc slaps tough new sanctions on Mali over election delay -- France 24  

West African regional leaders impose new sanctions on Mali -- Canadian Press  

Mali protests ECOWAS sanctions, closes borders -- Africa News

Are Russian Wagner Mercenaries In Mali?

 

RFE: Mali Denies Deployment Of Russian Mercenaries After Condemnation By EU Countries 

Mali's government has denied any deployment of Russian mercenaries from the Vagner group following charges earlier this week by more than a dozen European countries as well as Canada. 

Bamako "gives a formal denial to these baseless allegations" of "an alleged deployment of elements from a private security company in Mali," the government said in a statement on December 24. 

Over a dozen Western countries on December 23 strongly condemned the deployment in Mali of Russian mercenaries working for the Vagner group, accusing Moscow of providing material backing for the fighters.  

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Update #1: Mali denies deployment of Russian mercenaries from Wagner Group (France 24)  

Update #2: Mali denies using Russia's Wagner mercenaries (DW)  

WNU Editor: European governments are blunt in their message .... Arrival of Russian Wagner mercenaries in Mali condemned by European governments (CNN). More here .... 16 countries condemn deployment of Russian mercenaries in Mali (UPI).  

Update #3: This is the explanation from the Mali government .... Mali denies deployment of Russian mercenaries, says only 'trainers' present (Reuters).

U.S. Warns Mali To Not Make A Deal To Employ Russian Mercenaries

FILE - A photo published by the Security Service of Ukraine purports to show Wagner Group mercenaries at an unidentified location. (ssu.gov.ua)  

VOA: Pentagon Warns Against Deal Bringing Russian Mercenaries to Mali  

WASHINGTON — Add U.S. military officials to the crescendo of voices warning Mali's interim government against brokering any deal to use mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group to help with security and counterterrorism. 

For weeks, U.S. and French officials have publicly tried to dissuade Malian leaders from moving forward with a reported deal that would pay Wagner $10.8 million a month for 1,000 mercenaries to train Mali's military and provide security for senior officials. 

Now, the Pentagon says such a deal could cost Mali in multiple ways.  

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WNU Editor: This warning is a joke. The US suspended support following the August 2020 coup that saw elements of the Malian military depose the country's elected leaders. The US has very little leverage. 

As for the Europeans, they are hoping a new task force will be more successful in the war against the militants in Mali .... New European Taskforce Takes on Mali's Elusive Militants (US News and World Report/Reuters). I hope they succeed because efforts by France and its European allies have failed miserably ....  

.... Violent attacks across Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso that have increased eight-fold in 2015 to 2020, according to the United Nations. This has driven 2 million from their homes and left swathes of territory out of governments' control.

French Minister In Mali To Pressure Government To end Talks To Bring In Russian Mercenaries

FILE PHOTO: French soldiers work on a Tiger attack helicopter at the Operational Desert Plateform Camp (PfOD) during the Operation Barkhane in Gao  

Reuters: French minister in Mali to pressure junta over Russian mercenaries 

BAMAKO (Reuters) -France's Armed Forces Minister arrived in Mali on Sunday to pressure the military junta to end talks to bring Russian mercenaries into the country and push it to keep a promise to return the country to constitutional order in February. 

Diplomatic and security sources have told Reuters that Mali's year-old military junta is close to recruiting the Russian Wagner Group, and France has launched a diplomatic drive to thwart it, saying such an arrangement is "incompatible" with a continued French presence. 

West Africa's main political bloc, ECOWAS, as well as other allies combating militants in the Sahel region, have also expressed concerns over the potential deal.  

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Update: France and Russia make a stand over which country will have the greater influence in Mali (France 24) 

WNU Editor: The Mali government has responded .... Mali says it can seek military help from anyone, despite French concern (Reuters). More here .... Mali bristles over warnings not to hire Russian 'mercenaries' (AFP), and here .... Mali's Junta Dismisses Warnings Not To Hire Russia's Wagner 'Mercenaries' (RFE).

51 People In Mali Killed In Attack By Suspected Jihadists

The latest attack comes a week after the Malian army arrested two rebel leaders who had been denounced by residents of Ouattagouna and Karou [File: Malin Palm/Reuters]  

AFP: Suspected jihadists kill 51 villagers in Mali, 12 troops in Burkina 

Suspected jihadists massacred 51 civilians in northern Mali and killed 12 troops in an ambush in neighbouring Burkina Faso, the authorities said Monday, highlighting the security crisis gripping the two fragile states. 

"Terrorists" on Sunday invaded the villages of Karou, Ouatagouna and Daoutegeft near Mali's border with Niger, a military officer told AFP, using a term officials use to designate jihadists. 

 "(They) massacred everyone," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 

A document by the local prefecture, seen by AFP, said 51 people had been killed in the coordinated attacks, homes had been looted and cattle stolen.  

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Update #1: At least 51 killed in Mali village raids, district official says -- Reuters 

Update #2: Mali conflict: at least 51 people killed in attack by suspected jihadists -- The Guardian  

WNU Editor: These jihadist attacks are not isolated in only Mali .... Attack in Burkina Faso kills at least 12 soldiers, sources say (Reuters).

Mali Interim Leader Says He's 'Well' After Failed Assassination Attempt

 

France 24: Mali’s interim president Goïta doing 'very well' after assassination attempt 

The incident occurred after prayers for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha in the great mosque of Bamako. 

Assailants went for the president as an imam was directing worshippers outside the mosque for a ritual animal sacrifice. 

Religious Affairs Minister Mamadou Kone, who was at the mosque, told AFP that a man had "tried to kill the president with a knife" but was apprehended. 

The mosque's director, Latus Toure, said an attacker had lunged at the president but wounded someone else. Later, a security official who requested anonymity said that two people had been arrested and were now in detention.  

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More News On Mali's Interim Leader Saying He's 'Well' After Failed Assassination Attempt  

Mali's president says he was unharmed in stabbing attempt -- AP 

Mali leader says he was unharmed in 'isolated action' knife attack -- Reuters  

Mali's interim president targeted in stabbing attempt during Eid prayers -- CNN  

Mali's interim president survives assassination attempt -- RFI  

Mali interim President Assimi Goita is ‘well’ after knife attack -- Al Jazeera  

Armed man attempts to stab Mali’s interim president during prayers at Bamako mosque -- RT

West Africa Leaders Suspend Mali From The Regional Bloc Over Coup

 

 France 24: West African bloc ECOWAS suspends Mali over coup 

West African leaders decided at an extraordinary summit on Sunday to suspend Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bodies after a second coup in nine months by the poor Sahel country's military, but stopped short of reimposing sanctions. 

The putsch had sparked warnings of fresh sanctions and deep concerns over stability in the volatile Sahel region. 

Ten regional heads of state and three foreign ministers attended the summit in the Ghanaian capital Accra, with former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan serving as mediator in the crisis. 

"The suspension from ECOWAS takes immediate effect until the deadline of the end of February 2022 when they are supposed to hand over to a democratically elected government," Ghana's Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said after the meeting.

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 More News On West Africa Leaders Suspending Mali  

West Africa leaders suspend Mali from region bloc over coup -- AP  

Mali Coup: Mali president chop Ecowas suspension, order to return to civilian rule -- BBC  

ECOWAS suspends Mali after second coup in nine months -- The Cable 

ECOWAS suspends Mali over second coup in nine months -- Al Jazeera

West African Leaders And Talks With Mali's Junta Leaders End Without Deal

BBC: Mali coup: No deal on transitional government

Talks in Mali aimed at resolving the political situation in the aftermath of last week's coup have ended without agreement.

West African leaders have said that the deposed President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, should be reinstated.

But envoys from regional body Ecowas failed to convince Mali's military leaders that this was the way forward.

Mr Keïta faced huge street protests before his overthrow and many in Mali have welcomed his removal.

Military spokesman Col Ismael Wague is quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying after the talks ended that the final decision on any interim administration would be made by Malians.

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More News On The Crisis In Mali

Mali talks end with no decision on transitional government -- Reuters
Mali coup: ECOWAS, junta transition talks end without deal -- DW
Mali talks on-going as junta denies plans for three-year military rule -- France 24
Mali junta proposes 3-year military rule, agrees to free president: reports -- DW
Mali: Military want three year transition, Keita to be freed -- Al Jazeera
Mali junta insists president did not resign under duress -- AP
Mali coup leaders meet mediators seeking return to civilian rule -- Al Jazeera

Coup D'Etat In Mali -- News Updates August 20, 2020

France 24: Mali colonel Assimi Goita declares himself junta leader as opposition pledges support

Army colonel Assimi Goita on Wednesday introduced himself as Mali’s new military strongman a day after a coup that was condemned by the international community but won support from the country’s opposition.

The African Union, European Union, the United States and the UN Security Council have all demanded the junta free ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Keita's former prime minister Boubou Cisse and others taken captive in Tuesday’s coup that followed months of protests.

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Coup D'Etat In Mali -- News Updates August 20, 2020

Mali coup: Military promises elections after ousting president -- BBC
Mali coup leaders promise elections after Keita overthrow -- Al Jazeera
Mali army Col. Assimi Goita says he’s in charge of junta -- AP
Region's presidents plan Mali visit as junta, opposition close ranks -- Reuters
West African leaders start talks on Mali crisis -- AFP
Region's presidents plan Mali visit as junta, opposition close ranks -- Reuters
African Union suspends Mali's membership as international community condemns coup -- France 24
World leaders condemn Mali military coup, urge release of prisoners -- RFI
Mali coup: UN joins global condemnation of military takeover -- BBC
Mali military coup: How the world reacted -- Al Jazeera
France says its military operation Barkhane will continue in Mali -- Arab News/Reuters
Mali: A revolt that led to a coup d'etat -- DW

Coup In Mali -- News Updates August 18, 2020

New York Times: Mali’s President and Prime Minister Arrested in Military Coup

The action came amid a growing protest movement in the West African nation over charges that President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta stole a recent Parliamentary election.

DAKAR, Senegal — Mali’s military staged a coup and arrested the country’s president on Tuesday, after weeks of unrest that convulsed the West African nation, diplomats said.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and his prime minister, Boubou Cissé, were arrested along with other government officials, according to Moussa Faki, chairman of the African Union Commission, who called for them to be freed immediately.

The turmoil came amid a growing protest movement driven by charges that President Keïta had stolen a parliamentary election in March and installed his own candidates. Demonstrators have also been angered by the government’s failure to address corruption and the violence by Islamist insurgents and other armed groups that has plagued the country for eight years.

The streets of Bamako, the capital, exploded with jubilation and gunfire. At Independence Square in the middle of town, hundreds of people gathered in what appeared to be a spontaneous demonstration, pumping their fists, blowing vuvuzelas and cheering the soldiers who drove past, firing their weapons.

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More News On Today's Coup In Mali

Mali president, PM held by mutinying soldiers: Live updates -- Al Jazeera
Mutinying soldiers detain Mali president and PM, worsening crisis -- Reuters
Mutinying soldiers detain Mali's President Keita, Prime Minister Cisse -- France 24
Soldiers seize Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta -- BBC
Mali's PM and president held in 'attempted coup' -- The Guardian
Mali president, prime minister detained by mutinous soldiers -- DW
Mali crisis deepens as president, PM detained by mutinous troops -- Al Jazeera
Mali protest movement says detention of president 'not a military coup' -- Reuters
Mali rebels demand president leave country -- TASS
Mali Mutiny Leaders Say President, Prime Minister Arrested -- Sputnik
U.N. chief calls for immediate release of Mali president, others -- Reuters
African Union, UN condemn arrest of Mali's Keita, demand release -- Al Jazeera
What is Known About the Military Base Where Mali Mutiny Originated -- Sputnik
Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Mali's under-fire president -- AFP
Mali crisis: From disputed election to president's detention -- Al Jazeera
Explainer: What has caused Mali's political unrest? -- Al Jazeera
The Three Coups That Shaped Mali's History -- Sputnik

Anti-Government Protests Escalate In Mali

France 24: Mali protest leader calls for calm after demonstrations turn deadly

A Malian protest leader called for calm Sunday after four more people were killed during demonstrations calling for President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's resignation, the West African country's worst civil unrest in years.

Bloody demonstrations rocked the capital Bamako on Friday and Saturday, with witnesses saying that security forces fired live rounds during clashes with protesters.

The atmosphere remained tense on the streets of Bamako on Sunday, as hundreds of people converged on the Badalabougou district for the funerals of four people killed in the violence.

In the face of the heightened tensions, Keita had announced he would dissolve the poor Sahel country's constitutional court, the focus of anger since it overturned provisional results for parliamentary elections earlier this year.

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More News On The Unrest In Mali

4 Killed in Protests Calling for Mali’s President to Resign -- VOA
Protesters injured in Mali demonstrations as U.N. calls for calm -- Reuters
Mali's President Keïta dissolves constitutional court amid unrest -- BBC
Malian president dissolves constitutional court in bid to calm deadly unrest -- France 24
Mali opposition says more leaders arrested after mass protest -- Reuters
Mali opposition demands more concessions as crisis deepens -- Financial Times
Mahmoud Dicko, the populist imam challenging Mali’s President Keita -- France 24

Mali Votes In Long-Delayed Parliamentary Elections Amid Pandemic And Security Fears

Al Jazeera: Polls close in Mali amid coronavirus threat, security fears

Long-delayed parliamentary elections overshadowed by kidnapping of opposition leader, concerns over coronavirus.

Polls have closed in Mali's long-delayed parliamentary elections which were held despite concerns about security and the coronavirus pandemic.

Sunday's vote came hours after the violence-hit West African country announced its first coronavirus death and days after main opposition leader Soumaila Cisse was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.

The vote was expected to see new MPs elected to the 147-seat National Assembly for the first time since 2013, when President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's Rally for Mali party won a substantial majority.

Parliamentary elections were meant to take place again in late 2018 following Keita's re-election, but the poll was postponed several times, largely due to security concerns.

After Sunday's first-round vote, a second round is scheduled for April 19.

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More News On Today's Elections In Mali

Mali goes to the polls despite coronavirus fears -- BBC
Mali votes in long-delayed election amid coronavirus, security fears -- France 24
Mali Holds Election Despite Coronavirus and Insurgency -- US News and World Report/Reuters
Mali holds general elections despite COVID-19 fears -- Anadolu Agency

Islamist Militants Kill 29 Malian Soldiers In A Surprise Attack

© AP Photo / Jerome Delay

France 24: Dozens of Malian soldiers killed in suspected jihadist attack

Suspected Islamist militants killed 29 Malian soldiers on Thursday in an attack on a base in the country's northeast, the army said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack in the town of Tarkint, which is about 125 km (78 miles) north of the city of Gao. Mali's army has repeatedly suffered heavy casualties from jihadist fighters active in the area with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

The army said earlier in the day that just two soldiers had died but tweeted later that the death toll had "heavily evolved" to 29 killed and five wounded.

Vast swathes of central and northern Mali are effectively lawless, used by the jihadists as a base for attacks in Mali and into neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, where security has deteriorated markedly over the past year.

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WNU Editor: Central and northern Mali are effectively lawless. This attack has been one of many.

More News On Islamist Militants Kill 29 Malian Soldiers In A Surprise Attack

Militant attack kills 29 Malian soldiers - army -- Reuters
Attack on army camp in Mali leaves 29 dead -- Anadolu Agency
29 soldiers killed in attack on army post in northern Mali -- Washington Post
About 30 Malian Servicemen Killed in Terrorist Attack in Country’s Northeast -- Sputnik

Militants On Motorbikes Kill 20 Malian Troops

BBC: Mali: Militants on motorbikes kill 20 troops, officials say

Twenty members of the security forces have been killed in Mali by suspected Islamist militants, officials say.

The attack came early on Sunday at the Sokolo military camp in the central Segou region.

An official speaking to AFP news agency said the gunmen arrived on motorbikes and that all those killed were gendarmes or paramilitary police.

Militants linked to the Islamic State group or al-Qaeda often carry out attacks in Mali and the wider region.

Late last year, 24 soldiers were killed by militants in eastern Mali. Only weeks earlier, 54 troops had died in another attack.

In the latest incident, the army said militants damaged and stole military equipment. Five soldiers were injured, and a total of 60 survived the attack.

A witness described the scene as "complete chaos".

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WNU Editor: Here is an analysis on why jihadists are thriving in West Africa .... Attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger: Why are jihadists thriving in West Africa? (Global News).

More News On Reports That Malian Militants On Motorbikes Killed 20 Malian Troops At A Military Base In Central Mali

20 Mali soldiers killed at army camp attacked by gunmen -- AP
Twenty soldiers killed in Mali attack, government says -- Reuters
Soldiers killed in attack on Mali army camp, militants suspected -- France 24
19 Malian soldiers killed by armed men: Military -- Al Jazeera

Islamist Militants Attack Mali Military Post Killing 53 Soldiers

Mali's army has been struggling in the face of a jihadist revolt that has spread from the arid north to its centre, an ethnically mixed and volatile region (AFP Photo/Souleymane Ag Anara)

AFP: Attack on Mali military post kills 53 soldiers

Bamako (AFP) - Fifty-three soldiers were killed Friday in a "terrorist attack" on a Mali military post in the northeast of the country, the government said.

The assault is one of the deadliest strikes against Mali's military in recent Islamist militant violence.

A civilian was also killed at the outpost in Indelimane, in the Menaka region, close to the border with Niger, the country's communication minister Yaya Sangare said on Twitter.

"The situation is under control. A search and the process of identifying the bodies is continuing," he added, after giving the latest update on the death toll.

He said 10 survivors were found at the outpost, which suffered "significant" damage.

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Update: Mali says at least 35 soldiers killed in militant attack (Reuters).

WNU Editor: This was a slaughter.