Suicide blast in Mali leaves at least 160 dead, injured / Video

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - A car bomb attack struck a military camp in the northern Mali city of Gao on Wednesday morning local time, leaving at least 60 people dead and over 100 injured.

There were no reports of injuries in the Chinese peacekeeping force. The camp was home to government soldiers and rival armed groups that jointly patrol the desert north under a UN-brokered peace deal.

A vehicle packed with explosives drove into the camp and detonated at 8:51 am while the soldiers were having an assembly.

The UN said it was a suicide attack. Dozens of bodies ripped to pieces were lying on the ground and rescuers including Chinese peacekeeping force members were moving them.

The UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has initiated emergency mechanisms and dispatched two infantry battalions and helicopter teams to guard the area.

Medical personnel from the fourth Chinese peacekeeping force in the country rushed to the ruined camp to provide treatment. Meanwhile, the rest of the force has also taken necessary defense measures and initiated emergency plans.

Reuters reports that Al Qaeda's North African affiliate claimed responsibility of the attack and said it was punishment for groups there cooperating with France.

In a statement released by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the militant group said the attack was carried out by its close ally al Mourabitoun.

It gave the bomber's name as Abdul Hadi al-Fulani. Malian state media had earlier said there were five bombers.

"We do not permit the establishment of barracks and bases or the convening of patrols and convoys belonging to the French occupiers, to wage war against the mujahideen," the statement read.

Al Mourabitoun, led by veteran jihadist Mokhtar Belmokhtar, is believed to have carried out a number of high-profile attacks against military and civilian targets in Mali and other West African nations.





/298